Word Up Ministries

“O Israel,” says the LORD, “if you wanted to return to me, you could You could throw away your detestable idols and stray away no more.“

Jeremiah 4:1

It’s difficult to realize that Jeremiah’s warning to Judah and Israel could be written for me in present day.

Backsliding is stated or referenced seven times in Jeremiah chapter three. You think the Lord is trying to make a point?

Backsliding is a slow fade; a gradually falling away from God that happens often without us even noticing.

It’s spring, and Sunday is the only day available to play golf.
It’s gymnastic or baseball travel season that keeps us out of church. It’s summer, and we have boat.
It’s summer, and well, it’s beach time.
It’s my job, “I have to travel.”
It’s our busy season, and couch church is a great option.

Returning to God is referenced four times in chapter four. You think the Lord is trying to make a point?

Returning isn’t as easy as backsliding. Jeremiah describes the difficulty of returning to God in terms we can understand.

It’s like plowing. (Jeremiah 4:1-3) The soil of our heart must be soft and nourished in order to produce fruit. Holy Spirit may need to work hard with the tiller to turn up all the hard places in our heart.
As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.
Luke 8:15 (ESV)

It’s like performing surgery. (Jeremiah 4:4) The Jews were pious and proud. Putting hope in the rituals of a denomination will not make us right with the God. Wrong thinking and doctrine must be cut away.
On the contrary, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart—by the Spirit, not the letter. That man’s praise is not from men but from God.
Romans 2:29 (HCSB)

It’s like joining the army. (Jeremiah 4:5-6,19-21) We are in the army of the Lord; fighting the enemy of our flesh and of our soul. Holy Spirit calls us to return to Him like a commander sounds a trumpet for his troops.
No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.
2 Timothy 2:4 (ESV)

It’s like taking a bath. (Jeremiah 4:14) Our inside must be as clean as our outside. They were very concerned about outward appearance, but God sees the inside.
You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too.
Matthew 23:26

It’s like growing up. (Jeremiah 4:22) Warren Wiersbe says, “Believers should be child-like not childish.” At some point we have walk what we talk.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
2 Peter 3:18 (ESV)

Cited work from: With the Word; The Chapter-By Chapter Bible Handbook, Warren Wiersbe; page 499
Adapted by Wendy Pope

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