December 12, 2001

Reading: Jer: 3:1-5

 

“Therefore the showers have been withheld, and there has been no latter rain” (3)

 

How often the people of God backslide because they are constantly languishing in the “slough of despair”. They hear of the many promises and blessings of God yet these things have never been their experience. De we not sometimes tire of the struggle? Do we not long for the respite even if for a short time? If it is God’s desire to bless His people, why am I not being blessed? Is God not faithful to His word?

The fault does not lie with God, for He is “ready to perform” His word (Jer: 1:12). Let no man say ‘God is not faithful’, for if we doubt His faithfulness then all hope is lost and we will quickly sink into the pit from which He has lifted us. To the church at Corinth where multiple problems were rife, Paul emphatically declares “God is faithful” (1 Cor: 1:9, 10:13; 2 Cor: 1:8). You cannot blame God for your problems because He is faithful. So, if the problem doesn’t lie with God, then where does it lie?

“You have played the harlot” (1); “You have polluted the land” (2); “You refuse to be ashamed” (3); You have spoken and done evil things” (5). God clearly points the finger of blame on the people. “I am ready to perform My word”, but “you have transgressed against the LORD you God” (13). “Therefore the showers have been withheld, and there has been no latter rain”.

Human nature is always quick to blame someone or something else for our problems. We do not like to blame ourselves but it is within our self that the cause for our problems frequently lays. It is easy, is it not, to create our own gods? They may not be gods of wood and stone but gods of our own imagination. Anything that takes the place of God in our lives automatically becomes god for that moment. Do we turn to our own resources instead of to God? We are so skilled at creating our own gods both material and mental.

“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh and strength to your bones” (Prov 3:7). It is a strange phenomenon that we Christians so frequently look to our own wisdom or ‘gut feeling’ before turning to Christ. There is nothing wrong with wisdom for “The LORD by wisdom founded the earth” (Prov: 3:19), but it is His wisdom we should seek and not our own. When we look to our own wisdom we have turned our wisdom into a god because it has, on that occasion, replaced God.

What is the remedy? “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Prov 3:5-6).Whether it be our own wisdom and ability, psychologist, counselor or priest, none must take the place of God in our lives. A Christian counselor should always turn you back to Christ who is Wisdom incarnate (1 Cor: 1:30).

“Truly, in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains; truly, in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel” (Jer 3:23). Alters to various gods were built on the top of the hills and mountains and God reminds His people that help is not to be found there. Did not Elijah prove this when he challenged to priests of Baal on the mountain?

May God grant us His strength to turn to Him in every need, then the showers will be released and we will be refreshed by them.