Kingdom Building

August 27, 2019

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 2:4-13

Therefore once more I accuse you,
says the Lord,
   and I accuse your children’s children.
Cross to the coasts of Cyprus and look,
   send to Kedar and examine with care;
   see if there has ever been such a thing.
Has a nation changed its gods,
   even though they are no gods?
But my people have changed their glory
   for something that does not profit.
Be appalled, O heavens, at this,
   be shocked, be utterly desolate,
says the Lord,
   they have forsaken me,
the fountain of living water,
   and dug out cisterns for themselves,
cracked cisterns
   that can hold no water. –Jeremiah 2:9-13

What is it about human nature that makes us chase after lesser gods, idols the prophets of old would call them? Why if we had the choice of a fountain of living water would we dig a cracked cistern that can hold no water? And yet we do something similar all the time.

I suppose we could relate it to the trial and error learning that small children experience as they begin to crawl and then walk. Those children learn quickly what works and what does not. We adults are the ones who keep repeatedly doing the same wrong thing and getting the same wrong results.

God created us with free will; we honor God by using it advantageously to further God’s way of being on the earth, which is designed for the wellbeing of all.

Prayer: Gracious God, we thank you for the gift of your love allowing us the right to choose how we use this gift. Forgive us when we miss the mark and lead us back to your just path.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.