People have always liked shiny things. The lure of fancy, exotic, and expensive things is irresistible. We also begin to attach our self-worth to things we own.

“Their land is filled with silver and gold, and there is no end to their treasures; their land is filled with horses, and there is no end to their chariots.” Isaiah 2:7

Wealth was not a problem for them. In gaining wealth, they gained prominence and became prideful. Worst of all, they forgot the God who cared for them and led them so far. Thus God had to intervene and get them back on the right track.

“So man is humbled, and each one is brought low…” God did it for the Israelites during their exile.

This is an invitation to examine our hearts—constant re-alignment toward love and devotion to Jesus, the one who has brought us thus far.

It’s not simple to console parents whose children have gone astray. The broken heart of God the Father with estranged children cannot be consoled by mere words. Even the Ox and the donkey know their owner and where they belong. But God’s people have no clue!

Here are the words to a broken-hearted Father: “Hear O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “‘Children I have reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me’” (Isaiah 1:2).

After constant reminders from the Lord, the people continued with their rebellion. They were busy with lots of religious and civic activities. But they forgot their Father was the one who gave them life and sustained them.

We may share our burdens with friends that are equal to us. We may even find people we can relate with. But for God, there is no equal. He has no one else to share with. So he says “Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O Earth; for the Lord has spoken: Children I have reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me.” God’s heart was crushed and he needed to share his burden with someone. But God has no equal. Maybe God expresses this to the heavens and the earth as a “witness,” for they have seen mankind from the beginning.

God makes a comparison between the Ox and the donkey. They know their place and they have an understanding of where they belong. In other words, even brute beasts have the “understanding” that they need. “But Israel does not know, my people do not understand.”

Sadly, people were compared to animals. But the rebellion of the people was inexcusable. The people claimed to know, but they were full of rebellion.

The broken-hearted father still waits for his children to return. All people of the world were created by God and He wants a relationship with them. God is waiting for his children to return.

Isn’t God full of compassion and love? I cannot imagine God saying “don’t pray” or “don’t intercede.” Hasn’t God always invited people to pray and intercede for others? It was God who often took the initiative to invite people to pray and to have a relationship with Him.

“As for you, do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer for them, and do not intercede with me, for I will not hear you” (Jer 7:16).

But throughout the seventh chapter of Jeremiah, God reminds them that God was persistent in pursuing them and directing them to act with justice and mercy. He values these important characteristics and wants his people to emulate him.

God’s desire was that his people would be fully devoted to him and serve him only. But the people had walked away from the covenant. They fought the God who delivered them and saved them from the hand of their enemies.

When God sent prophets to them, it was an act of his mercy and kindness. But the people refused to listen. They hardened their hearts and continued in their rebellion.

Now the question still remains: “Why did God tell Jeremiah not to pray for the people? Was it because he had completely forsaken them? God knows that for his plans to work out, their sins need to be punished. The 70 years of exile and captivity planned for the people could not be revoked. Rather it was necessary for God’s plans to be accomplished.

So as we pray, listen to the voice of the Lord and discern his plans. Know God’s plans for the person or people for whom you are praying. Then pray with fervor.

Ever felt like running? Life becomes too much to bear and you just want to run away someplace. “Fight or Flight” is the common term for what we feel when under pressure. When we’re too tired and afraid, the only thing to do is run.

Israel ran to neighboring nations and to their gods for protection. Up to that time, they looked to the strong and stable walls of Jerusalem as a fortress. But when they needed protection, even those strong walls were not strong enough. The solution they needed was not there.

In Psalm 48:3, the singers proclaim that God is to be their fortress. “Within her citadels, God has made himself known as a fortress.” The idea is not that God will provide a fortress, but that God himself will be our fortress. And it is God himself that we are to run to in the time of distress.

There is no doubt that the city of Jerusalem was their fortress. They knew that they could run to Jerusalem from danger or any form of attack from invaders. But their hearts had gone away from God for several generations already.

The psalmist is clear that “within” the citadels (fortress), God has made himself known as a fortress. Thus their fortress is truly a fortress because God is in their midst and He is their ultimate fortress.

Stay well connected to God. He is with you. Always.

Whenever I read through the pages of the Old Testament, I see the mercy of God clearly portrayed. But many people see destruction, judgment, and punishment all over the pages. These acts of punishment are preceded by long periods of merciful waiting. God waits patiently for the return of his people to ap pepper relationship with Him. 

In fact, God is looking for an excuse to save, redeem, and provide a way out of the impending destruction. “Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, look and take note! Search her squares to see if you can find a man, one who does justice and seeks truth; that I may pardon her.” (Jer 5:1 RSV)  Even after the search, God could not find a righteous person as an excuse to release them. 

But even when God commands destruction, it is enveloped with mercy. “Go up through her vine-rows and destroy, but make not a full end; strip away her branches, for they are not the Lord’s.” (Jer 5:10 RSV) 

The term “but make not a full end” is soaked with mercy and grace – and most of all, love. God’s kind of love. His love is relentless and everlasting. Even when they continue in disobedience, he punishes them with a strand of mercy. 

This is why God says “But even in those days, says the Lord, I will not make a full end of you.” (Jer 5:18 RSV)

“God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.” (Psalm 47:8)

How can we say that God reigns over the nations when every nation on the face of the earth does its own thing? Each nation orders its affairs as they please. They all don’t seem to follow the Lord’s direction in any way. 

When we look at history, we see ancient nations that were in many ways similar to the nations of today. They lived as they pleased, not thinking of God nor His requirements. But we see that God was active in the midst of the nations. 

God expects leaders to act justly and show mercy. But he allows them to make their own choices and gives them sufficient warnings as well. He also allows them time to act, repent, and come to alignment with His requirements. These “warnings” may be through various means. Sometimes through direct prophecy, natural calamities, or by way of other nations bringing conflict. 

In various ways, God speaks to the nations dictating them to his ways. This he does because he is King over all kings and has ultimate authority. 

Even today, God speaks to every nation on earth directing them to his ways. God wants them to do justice, show mercy, and walk humbly before God. Things are no different from the past – Each nation does as they wish. But God remains on his holy throne. 

In a similar way, God speaks to us. He instructs and guides us in his ways. Ultimately, he wants a relationship with each one of us. That is his ultimate aim. 

So the invitation is open to everyone. The God who reigns over the nations sits on his throne, but he loves each person and wants a relationship with us. How will you respond?