How does God feel when his people (who know better) refuse to repent?
____________ “When men fall, do they not rise again?
_________________ If one turns away, does he not return?
____________ Why then has this people turned away
_________________ in perpetual backsliding?
____________ They hold fast to deceit;
_________________ they refuse to return.
____________ I have paid attention and listened,
_________________ but they have not spoken rightly;
____________ no man relents of his evil,
_________________ saying, ‘What have I done?’
____________ Everyone turns to his own course,
_________________ like a horse plunging headlong into battle.
____________ Even the stork in the heavens
_________________ knows her times,
____________ and the turtledove, swallow, and crane
_________________ keep the time of their coming,
____________ but my people know not the rules of the LORD.” (Jer 8:4-7)
Is it really that big of a deal? I want to live my life the way I want. Can’t it wait?
____________ “Your hurt is incurable,
_________________ and your wound is grievous.” (Jer 30:12)
I’ll find something or someone else to fix me. I know what I’m doing.
____________ “There is none to uphold your cause,
_________________ no medicine for your wound,
_________________ no healing for you.” (Jer 30:13)
Are you telling me it’s too late?
____________ “There is hope for your future,
_________________ declares the LORD.” (Jer 31:17)
What would a willingness to repent sound like?
____________ “You have disciplined me, and I was disciplined,
_________________ like an untrained calf;
____________ bring me back that I may be restored,
_________________ for you are the LORD my God.
____________ For after I had turned away, I relented,
_________________ and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh;
____________ I was ashamed, and I was confounded,
_________________ because I bore the disgrace of my youth.” (Jer 31:18-19)
Is the One I’ve spurned even willing to take me back?
____________ “Is Ephraim my dear son?
_________________ Is he my darling child?
____________ For as often as I speak against him,
_________________ I do remember him still.
____________ Therefore my heart yearns for him;
_________________ I will surely have mercy on him, declares the LORD.” (Jer 31:20)
But I’ve wandered a long way from home.
____________ “Set up road markers for yourself;
_________________ make yourself guideposts;
____________ consider well the highway,
_________________ the road by which you went.” (Jer 31:21)
But I’m not sure I can make it, or if I’m even worthy of coming back.
____________ “With weeping they shall come,
_________________ and with pleas for mercy I will lead them back,
____________ I will make them walk by brooks of water,
_________________ in a straight path in which they shall not stumble.” (Jer 31:9)
But what if it’s too hard?
____________ “I will satisfy the weary soul,
_________________ and every languishing soul I will replenish.” (Jer 31:25)
But what about the guilt and the shame and the sorrow I feel?
____________ “I will turn their mourning into joy;
_________________ I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.” (Jer 31:13)
But…
____________ “How long will you waver,
_________________ O faithless daughter?” (Jer 31:22)
Are you sure? I’ve made a lot of mistakes.
____________ “You shall be my people,
_________________ and I will be your God.” (Jer 30:22)