SCRIPTURE:
We acknowledge our wickedness, Lord, and the guilt of our ancestors; we have indeed sinned against you. 21 For the sake of your name do not despise us; do not dishonor your glorious throne. Remember your covenant with us and do not break it.
Jeremiah 14:20-21
OBSERVATION:
This is the prophet’s prayer on behalf of the people. A cornerstone to the healing of a nation is the confession of their sin. Jeremiah confesses that his ancestors were guilty. There are three primary steps to revival. First is the proclamation of the word of God, confronting sin. Second, it is admitting of the sin. Finally, it’s repentance of the sin or sins committed. It all starts with the proclamation that we have gone astray. However, this is why the prophets died.
Men loved darkness, and they don’t like their dark deeds being brought to the light. Acknowledgement of sin is the correct step to being shown grace. Knowing what you have been forgiven for affords the forgiveness, the fuel to cultivate transformation, namely thankfulness. Those who are forgiven much, love much. Therefore, recognizing what we were forgiven for gives us the ability to love much. It all starts from recognizing our sin and His grace.
APPLICATION:
As a young Christian, I thought the cross was the first step. However, as I grow older and hopefully more mature, I am realizing that the cross is the step we must continue to take. As we ponder the cross and its gravity, the Christian walk is the by-product. The power of the cross is what actualized transformation. When we see the bright light of the cross in this dark world, there is a realization that there is a good that is beyond, and that is worth fighting for.
The King of all rulers and powers came down to man. He put on flesh and felt our pain and died on the cross for us. We are sinful men; however, He died for us before we decided to follow Him. He is the author who wrote Himself into our story, to die for His creation. The Author became Word and dwelt among us. Because of this reality, I will be forever grateful and inspired to be like my King in this life and the next.
PRAYER:
Thank you, Lord, for showing us what love looks like. You have given all humanity from all walks of life an example to strive for. Jesus is the example we are called to be like as citizens of Heaven. Thank you for being the King that took on the Kingdom of darkness on our behalf. Amen.
