Jeremiah 5:4-5
“Then I said to myself, “Well, these are just poor people. They don’t know any better. They were never taught anything about GOD. They never went to prayer meetings. I’ll find some people from the best families. I’ll talk to them. They’ll know what’s going on, the way GOD works. They’ll know the score.” But they were no better! Rebels all! Off doing their own thing. The invaders are ready to pounce and kill, like a mountain lion, a wilderness wolf, Panthers on the prowl. The streets aren’t safe anymore. And why? Because the people’s sins are piled sky-high; their betrayals are past counting.”
“Then I said, “But what can we expect from the poor? They are ignorant. They don’t know the ways of the LORD. They don’t understand God’s laws. So I will go and speak to their leaders. Surely they know the ways of the LORD and understand God’s laws.” But the leaders, too, as one man, had thrown off God’s yoke and broken his chains. So now a lion from the forest will attack them; a wolf from the desert will pounce on them. A leopard will lurk near their towns, tearing apart any who dare to venture out. For their rebellion is great, and their sins are many.”
Wickedness is not a function of economic status. It is part of being human. We are all rebels if we are honest with ourselves, preferring our own way to any other. Eventually, our culture rots. Crime proliferates. Addictions flourish. We forget how to work. Words are redefined. We call good evil and evil good. Our institutions weaken and we are vulnerable. Historical record shows all human endeavors ends here, regardless the purity of initial intentions. It is a bleak picture, but it is not the end. Thanks be to God there is a way out named Jesus. His is the only path to creating anything of eternal value. He is our only hope.
Lord Almighty, thank you for redeeming me and restoring my efforts. You make it possible to do things that will last the test of time. Yours is all the credit, glory and praise. You give my life meaning. I own you everything, my good and faithful God.