Meditations in Jeremiah
The message of Jeremiah the prophet primarily proclaims our Lord’s rebuke against the sin of His people and pronounces our Lord’s judgment against His people for their sin. Yet in Jeremiah 14:7-9, 20-22 we find an expression of humble repentance. Even so, this passage reveals the ingredients of true, Biblical repentance before the Lord our God. Such repentance begins when we acknowledge certain things.
The message of Jeremiah the prophet primarily proclaims our Lord’s rebuke against the sin of His people and pronounces our Lord’s judgment against His people for their sin. Yet in Jeremiah 14:7-9, 20-22 we find an expression of humble repentance. Even so, this passage reveals the ingredients of true, Biblical repentance before the Lord our God. Such repentance begins when we acknowledge certain things.
Acknowledging our Sinful Behavior
True, Biblical repentance requires that we acknowledge our sinful behavior as sin directly against the Lord our God. Yea, we must acknowledge our sinful behavior, as defined by God’s Word, without seeking to make excuses or to shift the blame. Even so, In the closing portion of Jeremiah 14:7, the confession was made, “We have sinned against thee.” Again in the closing portion of Jeremiah 14:20, the confession was made, “For we have sinned against thee.”
Acknowledging our Self-willed Departure
True, Biblical repentance requires that we acknowledge our self-will departure from the fellowship and righteousness of the Lord our God. Yea, we must acknowledge that we have willfully chosen to depart from our Lord because we desired “the pleasures of sin” rather than pleasing our Lord. Even so, in the closing portion of Jeremiah 14:7, the confession was made, “For our backslidings are many.” Again in the opening portion of Jeremiah 14:20, the confession was made, “We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers.”
Acknowledging our Stubborn Rebellion
True, Biblical repentance requires that we acknowledge our stubborn rebellion against the chastening and correction of the Lord our God. Yea, we must acknowledge that we continue in the ways of sin because our hearts are stubbornly rebellious in character. Even so, in the closing portion of Jeremiah 14:7, the confession was made, “For our backslidings are many.”
Acknowledging our Spiritual Guiltiness
True, Biblical repentance requires that we acknowledge our spiritual guiltiness in the sight of the Lord our God. Yea, we must acknowledge that we have no justification for our sin whatsoever, and that our sin causes us to be completely unworthy of any favor from our Lord. Even so, in the opening portion of Jeremiah 14:7, the confession was made, “O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us . . . .” Again in the opening portion of Jeremiah 14:21, the request was made, “Do not abhor us.”
Acknowledging our Singular Hope
True, Biblical repentance requires that we acknowledge our singular hope for revival and restoration in the Lord our God alone. Yea, we must acknowledge that He alone, in His abundant grace and everlasting mercy, is our only way of deliverance from the corruption and consequence of our sin. Even so, in the opening portion of Jeremiah 14:8, the truth was proclaimed, “O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble . . . .” Again in the closing portion of Jeremiah 14:22, the commitment was expressed, “Therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.”
True, Biblical repentance requires that we acknowledge our sinful behavior as sin directly against the Lord our God. Yea, we must acknowledge our sinful behavior, as defined by God’s Word, without seeking to make excuses or to shift the blame. Even so, In the closing portion of Jeremiah 14:7, the confession was made, “We have sinned against thee.” Again in the closing portion of Jeremiah 14:20, the confession was made, “For we have sinned against thee.”
Acknowledging our Self-willed Departure
True, Biblical repentance requires that we acknowledge our self-will departure from the fellowship and righteousness of the Lord our God. Yea, we must acknowledge that we have willfully chosen to depart from our Lord because we desired “the pleasures of sin” rather than pleasing our Lord. Even so, in the closing portion of Jeremiah 14:7, the confession was made, “For our backslidings are many.” Again in the opening portion of Jeremiah 14:20, the confession was made, “We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers.”
Acknowledging our Stubborn Rebellion
True, Biblical repentance requires that we acknowledge our stubborn rebellion against the chastening and correction of the Lord our God. Yea, we must acknowledge that we continue in the ways of sin because our hearts are stubbornly rebellious in character. Even so, in the closing portion of Jeremiah 14:7, the confession was made, “For our backslidings are many.”
Acknowledging our Spiritual Guiltiness
True, Biblical repentance requires that we acknowledge our spiritual guiltiness in the sight of the Lord our God. Yea, we must acknowledge that we have no justification for our sin whatsoever, and that our sin causes us to be completely unworthy of any favor from our Lord. Even so, in the opening portion of Jeremiah 14:7, the confession was made, “O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us . . . .” Again in the opening portion of Jeremiah 14:21, the request was made, “Do not abhor us.”
Acknowledging our Singular Hope
True, Biblical repentance requires that we acknowledge our singular hope for revival and restoration in the Lord our God alone. Yea, we must acknowledge that He alone, in His abundant grace and everlasting mercy, is our only way of deliverance from the corruption and consequence of our sin. Even so, in the opening portion of Jeremiah 14:8, the truth was proclaimed, “O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble . . . .” Again in the closing portion of Jeremiah 14:22, the commitment was expressed, “Therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.”
Posted in Meditations in Jeremiah, Repentance of Sin
RSS Feed
