Jeremiah 5:10-13
“Go down the rows of vineyards and rip out the vines, but not all of them. Leave a few. Prune back those vines! That growth didn’t come from GOD! They’ve betrayed me over and over again, Judah and Israel both.’ GOD’s Decree. ’They’ve spread lies about GOD. They’ve said, ‘There’s nothing to him. Nothing bad will happen to us, neither famine nor war will come our way. The prophets are all windbags. They speak nothing but nonsense.’”
“Go down the rows of the vineyards and destroy the grapevines, leaving a scattered few alive. Strip the branches from the vines, for these people do not belong to the LORD. The people of Israel and Judah are full of treachery against me,’ says the LORD. ‘They have lied about the LORD and said, ‘He won’t bother us! No disasters will come upon us. There will be no war or famine. God’s prophets are all windbags who don’t really speak for him. Let their predictions of disaster fall on themselves!’”
No matter how grim it seems the Lord is always faithful to preserve a remnant who love and worship him. I mustn’t let the news convince me I am alone in the Lord. There are others just like me, trying to shine their way through the night, sharing hope and love with those in darkness.
The lie, “There’s nothing to him,” is not modern but age old. Contrarily, it is my job to share that he is truth, righteousness, hope and love. He is not, ‘nothing,’ but everything good, supremely satisfying to our souls.
Lord, make me able to shine brightly with all your goodness that those in the dark may turn hopefully to you. Let the fullness of your strength and character speak through me to comfort the grieving and dispossessed. Shape me to your purpose, my almighty Lord.