By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
Jeremiah 7:9-11 “ ‘Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe”—safe to do all these detestable things? Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the Lord." - NIV
This was a scathing rebuke by God to Israel. King, priest and the people alike had given themselves to gross evil. They would do all their detestable things: murder, theft, adultery, idolatry robbery, etc, and still come to the temple which bore God’s name and His holiness to worship without remorse. It was utter contempt of God.
Doesn’t this sound familiar in our day? We observe, sometimes in utter shock, how much evil is committed by those who profess the name of God. So much manipulation, theft, immorality, deception, abuse and things that wouldn’t even be mentioned or tolerated by God, are done by people who still boldly speak in His name. Through Jeremiah, God said He was watching. He still watches todate. His heart pains when His name is brought into much shame by those who should be upholding it.
Let God search our hearts. Let’s search them too, mend our ways and purpose to live upto the call we have been given. May all of us who call on the name of the Lord, who live by the principles of His word, truly shun evil and be a reflection of the character of the God we claim to live for. May others see God in us through the light we shine and the good works we bring out that they may glorify Him. Oh brother, sister, can others see Jesus in your words, behavior, transactions, daily life?
2 Timothy 2:19 "Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
Shalom children of God.