Farming Faithfulness

Just as a linen undergarment clings to the body, so I created the people of Israel and Judah to cling to me, declares the Lord, to be my people for my honor, praise, and grandeur.
Jeremiah 13:11 CEB

I think I mentioned that our church is doing a Bible reading plan called "Bible Recap". It has the Scripture readings listed in chronological order. Currently, we are in the book of Jeremiah.

It is challenging yet also eye-opening, and doesn't take much discernment to see that since the beginning of mankind, God has poured out His love and desire for a faithful relationship only to be rejected time and time again. God struck a covenant with His chosen people with the first commandment being Exodus 20:3, "You shall have no other gods before Me."

In the context of His Word, God is not referring only to statues and idols covered in silver and gold, but to ANYTHING that we would go to instead of to God for comfort and peace that only He can give. Think about that for a moment...

In the book of Jeremiah, God's people have repeatedly turned their backs on God, and He has had enough. He is ready to pour out His righteous judgment, and yet consistently throughout the first 13 chapters of this book, there are glimpses of His overwhelming love - if only they would repent and turn back to Him...

In verses 1-11 of the 13th chapter, I see the same false accusation against God since the beginning of time for anything bad that happens to mankind. "Why did God do this to me?" when in reality, we bring it on ourselves by our own disobedience. The Truth is we will always have to struggle with our own flesh to be in faithful submission to the Lord, but we can only do that by His grace and mercy.

Psalm 37:3 reads, "Trust the Lord and do good; live in the land, and farm faithfulness." We know that farming requires patience, as the farmer waits for the harvest following the hard work of tilling the ground, planting and watering the seed. Similarly, cultivating faithfulness requires perseverance and trust in God's timing, even when the results are not immediately visible. God is ALWAYS faithful.

Prayer:

Father,
           Forgive us for every false idol we have ever placed before You. According to Your Word, "They are a delusion, a charade; at the appointed time they will vanish!" And so is anything and everything we choose over You and Your Word. Thank You, Father, that Your mercies are new every morning - that Your Words are eternal and everlasting! Give us the strength and wisdom to trust You and do good; to live in the land You have provided, and to farm faithfulness. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen