Jeremiah 4:18
“It’s the way you’ve lived that’s brought all this on you. The bitter taste is from your evil life. That’s what’s piercing your heart.”
“Your own actions have brought this upon you. This punishment is bitter, piercing you to the heart!”
Judgement has two faces. God made us to live his way. Life works when we follow his principles, whether we know him or not. He works on our behalf, bringing truth and light into our lives. When we rebel, following our own way, life falls apart and judgement is the natural consequence of our actions. Judgement also occurs when God’s call to turn from our wickedness is exhausted and he removes his protective presence. Our wrong actions are one face of judgement. God’s stepping aside to allow natural consequences is another, and the bitter taste of evil pierces our heart.
Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to show me how to live. You faithfully hover over me, whispering warnings when I go astray. How can you, creator of the universe, care for, attend to such a speck of dust as I? You are a solid, comforting presence and I worship you, my perfectly divine mother and father.