Readings for today: Jeremiah 9-12
I listen regularly to a great podcast titled, The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God. It’s hosted by an author named Justin Brierly and he regularly interviews former skeptics, agnostics, and atheists on how and why they have reconsidered the Christian faith. Some, like Ayaan Hirsi Ali, the noted atheist intellectual, have even become Christians. Even Richard Dawkins, who has spent so much of his career attacking the Christian faith, has recently talked about being a “cultural Christian.” Noted agnostic historian, Tom Holland, wrote a best-selling book called Dominion where he charted the liberating impact of Christianity on human culture. His studies led him to conclude “that actually, in almost every way I am Christian.” Now he may be talking more about the cultural inheritance he received in terms of ethics and morals and worldview rather than being born again but the point stands. There is a rising tide of belief in God taking place around the world as people realize the way of Christ simply is the best way to live.
Strikingly, Jeremiah comes to the same conclusion centuries ago. “Who is the person wise enough to understand this? Who has the Lord spoken to, that he may explain it? Why is the land destroyed and scorched like a wilderness, so no one can pass through? The Lord said, “It is because they abandoned my instruction, which I set before them, and did not obey my voice or walk according to it. Instead, they followed the stubbornness of their hearts and followed the Baals as their ancestors taught them.” (Jeremiah 9:12-14 CSB) As he surveyed the cultural and national landscape of Israel, he was heartbroken. All he saw was violence and suffering, pain and devastation. The fires of revival that emerged under the reign of Josiah quickly died out under his successors and the nation was in steep decline. Beset by enemies on every side. Economy in shambles. Their military power significantly weakened. Their political influence almost non-existent. He knew it wouldn’t end well and he also knew why. They had abandoned God’s instruction. They did not obey God’s voice or walk in His ways. Instead, they followed their own hearts and chased after idols. Idols of gold and silver that were not real and certainly held no authority.
Why do we continue to reject God’s authority? After all, He is the maker of the heavens and the earth. He is the one who set the universe in motion and upholds it by the word of His power. He is the one who set up every biological and ecological and sociological system in our world. He is the one who shaped and formed us when we were in our mother’s wombs. Why wouldn’t we trust Him? Why wouldn’t we assume He knows best? Why is it we spend so much time and energy resisting Him rather than embracing Him? The reality is the way of Jesus is the best way to live. It is the best way to live personally and individually. It is the best way to live corporately and communally. It is also the only way God blesses. This is why God tells Jeremiah, “The wise person should not boast in his wisdom; the strong should not boast in his strength; the wealthy should not boast in his wealth. But the one who boasts should boast in this: that he understands and knows me — that I am the Lord, showing faithful love, justice, and righteousness on the earth, for I delight in these things. This is the Lord’s declaration.”(Jeremiah 9:23-24 CSB)
Readings for tomorrow: Jeremiah 13-16