"But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone. Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest."
Jeremiah 5:23-24
Part 3
Yesterday:
“Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain,”
“Both the former and the latter, in his season:”
God blessed His people year after year with seasonal rains for their crops. Even so, Israel walked away from God.
Today:
“He reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.”
God had established these growing seasons back in Genesis and had faithfully given the rains ever since.
“Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month,” (Joel 2:23).
And yet even with these elemental blessings that allowed Israel to eat, rear children, and make a living raising livestock, she turned away from her God.
Dear friend, as sad as the story of Israel’s apostasy is, I must ask, “could this happen to us, we who love God?” Could we forget our God and turn our back on Him as Israel did? I’m afraid the answer is “yes we could.” While our verses for today do not explain the whole story of Israel’s departure from God, they do show us that Israel had become very complacent toward the blessings of God. Even the rain that God sent to bless them with crops was taken for granted.
Do we take our God for granted also? Do we remember who gives us health? Whose air do we breathe, and whose food do we eat? When we are thirsty, isn’t it His water He sent us by way of His rain that we drink? For that matter, can’t we get complacent about His grace and mercy that we experience daily? Are we genuinely thankful? Do we acknowledge Him as the One who allows us to make a living to support our families?
God is good! Why not take a moment to thank the Lord for His goodness to you?
Great Is Thy Faithfulness1
By Thomas Chisholm
“Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
Chorus:
“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
“Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
1. “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” Lyrics: Thomas Obediah Chisholm (1866-1960); Music: William Marion Runyan (1870-1957). Copyright Status: © 1923. Ren. 1951 Hope Publishing Co., Carol Stream, IL 60188, www.hopepublishing.com. All rights reserved.