Lent Day 19: March 14

Lenten Reflection for Day 19

Date: Wednesday March 14, 2012

Author: Ed Olney

Bible Passage: Jeremiah 12:1–2 (NRSV)

¹ You will be in the right, O Lord, when I lay charges against you; but let me put my case to you. Why does the way of the guilty prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive? ² You plant them, and they take root; they grow and bring forth fruit; you are near in their mouths yet far from their hearts.

Reflection: Jeremiah is complaining to God. In the verses that follow (14-15), God answers Jeremiah: 14 This is what the LORD says: “As for all my wicked neighbors who seize the inheritance I gave my people Israel, I will uproot them from their lands and I will uproot the people of Judah from among them. 15 But after I uproot them, I will again have compassion and will bring each of them back to their own inheritance and their own country. (NIV)

I find God’s response to be the best explanation of today’s passage. Are you surprised? In a nutshell, those who have strayed from God’s heritage will be given a chance to repent and return if they now swear by God’s name. Does this have a New Testament tone to it? We should see a strong promise of forgiveness here and not despair.

God has given each of us free will to do what we want, but that doesn’t mean that we will always do the right thing. However, if we do turn from our sinful ways, then God will have compassion on us.

Prayer for today: God of justice and mercy, let me be as concerned about what is fair to my neighbor as I am about what is fair for myself. Help me to always conduct my life in ways pleasing to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen