“O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.” Jeremiah 10:23-24
Throughout the book of Jeremiah, we see God’s long suffering and patience with His people. Time after time, the prophet pleads with them to turn from their sins and serve God. Instead of listening they turned to idols hoping they would help them. Now Jeremiah reminds them that by doing so they were only increasing their sin. His heart is torn with the message that he has been entrusted with.
One of the first words that a child learns is “no.” Before they are of an age to understand life, they desire to do things their way. They need direction and training until they are old enough to make the right decisions on their own. As parents, we realize the necessity of teaching them what is right and what is wrong. We do this because we love them and want them to grow up to be good citizens. If they are not guided as children, by the time they become teenagers, they begin to rebel against any authority.
As a child of God, we realize that we must submit to the guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead us step by step, every day of our lives. There are times when we make mistakes, and we will need some correction from the Lord. He does not deal with us harshly, with judgment or anger, but patiently shows us where we have gone wrong, and through His Word, guides our steps back to the right path.
Hebrews 2:5-7 “ And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
It is not always pleasant when the Lord convicts us of something that is not right in our lives. He makes us feel uncomfortable because He loves us and wants to perfect our relationship with Him. As we yield to His Spirit, repent, and give everything over to Him, He renews our joy.
Hebrews 12:11 “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we desire to live in a way that pleases you. Thank you for your Holy Spirit that whispers to our hearts, showing us where we have gone astray and lovingly guiding us back on the right path.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
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