Watch the Wound
(Jeremiah 5:14-31; 6:1-30)
Luxury Band-Aids
Photographer Unknown
In Old Testament times, the Lord called His people frequently and faithfully to follow Him. He sent prophets to shake and awaken the hearts of His children to dangers and deceits among them.
The prophet Jeremiah spoke plain truth to the people of Israel. He pointed out social evils and personal sins and chastised the people for failing to deal honestly with the root of their sorrows.
"’From the least to the greatest,
all are greedy for gain;
prophets and priests alike,
all practice deceit.
They dress the wound of My people
as though it were not serious.
'Peace, peace,' they say,
when there is no peace.
Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct?
No, they have no shame at all;
they do not even know how to blush.
So they will fall among the fallen;
they will be brought down when I punish them,’
says the Lord.”
(Jeremiah 6:13-15, NIV, emphasis added)
How might we, in our modern-day culture and even our churches, be a lot like the ancient Israelites?
What gaping and ghastly wounds might we try to appease with insufficient means? What soul-wasting septicities do we simply cover with proverbial band-aids, rather than dealing with the deepest germs within?
What sorts of infections are we hiding? Do we suffer from dishonesty, doubt, guilt, pride, rage, shame or other ills?
Will we allow the Great Physician to carve away our rotten parts, so that He may fill us with health and vitality that lasts forever?
Will you pray with me?
Oh, Lord,
You alone are the Healer of our souls.
Give us strength
And resolve,
So that we will not prevent You
From tearing off the bandages that hide
Us from Your healing.
Remove all that festers within us,
And fill us with the life
That only You can give.
Amen.
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