July 28th - Bring Back the Blush

Bring Back the Blush

(Jeremiah 7:1-34; 8:1-22; 9:1-26)

Blushing

Photographer Unknown

“Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct?
No, they have no shame at all;
they do not even know how to blush.”

(Jeremiah 8:12a, NIV)

Jeremiah, the weeping prophet of the Old Testament, spoke the word of the Lord to God’s people. Much of the message was confrontational, pointing out how far the children of Israel had fallen from the truth. Deception and idolatry were rampant, and the collective conscience had dulled.

Are we really any different?

Do we grieve over our sin, or do we merely chuckle over it? Do we even recognize the difference between truth and falsehood? Have we forgotten how to blush?

Certainly, the Gospel is all about grace and mercy. God is willing to forgive sin. But don't we have to face the facts first? Doesn't true repentance begin with sorrow over the sin that plagues our own souls? Doesn't genuine healing begin with an actual diagnosis?

Here’s a poem the Lord gave to me this morning. May He call you closer to His own heart today and bless your soul with His mercy and love.

When Was Blushing Banished, Lord?

Naisaikus Calling Back Color

Tarnishing the truth,

Rebellious confidantes wink –

Finding falsehood fine.

WHEN WAS BLUSHING BANISHED, LORD?

Finding falsehood fine,

Rebellious confidantes wink –

Tarnishing the truth.

Staring at the scene,

Shameful sorrow spins the span.

Lightning lifts the veil.

CALL US TO COMMITMENT, LORD.

Lightning lifts the veil.

Shameful and sorrow spin the span,

Staring at the scene.

c2009 by Linda Ann Nickerson

Will you pray with me?

Merciful Maker and Master,

In darkest days of deception,

We long for Your truth.

We confess

That we have grown callous.

We have forgotten how to blush.

We have winked at sin,

Denying the depth

Of its danger.

We have failed

To follow You

Wholeheartedly.

Call us to complete commitment,

Lord.

We live to honor You.

Amen.

Posted for these prompts:

Easy Street Prompts (“rebellious confidante”)

Friday Flash-55 (55 words)

Haiku Friday (haiku poem/s)

Meme Express (Sunday Invitation to Simply Snickers)

Naisaiku Challenge (Naisaiku poetry)

Simply Snickers (“scene”/”seen,” “span” and “stare”/”stair”)

Sunday Scribblings (“new)

Totally Optional Prompts (“color”)

Weekend Wordsmith (“lightning”)