A New Covenant: A Study in JeremiahSample

What does it say?

Through Jeremiah, God brought charges against Judah because they had rejected their covenant with Him and forsaken Him for other gods.

What does it mean?

Judah turned toward false gods, exchanging their God's glory for worthless idols. They knew what it was like to walk with Him intimately, yet they allowed their land to be polluted with pagan practices. Abandoning their covenant was offensive to the Lord, and rightly so. He required His people to be distinct, separated for Him only. As a loving Father, God spoke firmly against their disobedience while trying to reconcile the relationship by recounting His goodness toward them. But instead of repenting, they tried to justify their behavior and shift the blame to Him.

How should I respond?

God desires intimacy with you. Because He is righteously jealous of your affection, God will always try to draw you back when your affections wander. Turning toward anything other than God is turning against Him. What have you traded for the intimate relationship that God wants with you? Ask the Lord to reveal anything in your life that could pollute your heart. When He does, confess it as a sin and turn to Him with a changed heart and mind. As your loving Heavenly Father, God will always convict you of sin, but He will not force you to repent and obey.