Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

8 August 2024

Reading From Jeremiah 7-9

 ^“Do not trust in deceptive words and say, “This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord!” If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your ancestors for ever and ever. But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless.”

While you were doing all these things, declares the Lord, I spoke to you again and again, but you did not listen; I called you, but you did not answer.”

–Jeremiah 7:4-8, 13

     God desires for His children not only to turn from doing life their way and follow Him, He guides us along in a process of transformation such as that our salvation is not only an event, it becomes a lifestyle of becoming.  Here in this passage in Jeremiah we find it affirmed that our faith in the Lord is not only to be expressed in moral holiness, but also in showing God’s love to others in very practical ways and to promote justice. 

     I will not venture too far into the weeds on this issue, but I cannot help but grieve for the millions of babies who have lost their lives to abortion when I read of Yahweh prohibiting the shedding of innocent blood.  It is my firm belief that the Lord offers pardon and redemption for those who are heartbroken and turn to Him after making such a devastating decision.  The family of God needs to provide resources to help those hurt by abortion but also those who choose life for their babies.  In this way we are in many cases caring for the fatherless as it mentions here in Jeremiah.

     Regardless of what any human’s personal views are on the subject, life is taken during that procedure and that life is innocent.  We must go to God for forgiveness, healing and a more excellent way forward toward the Light.  With Him we find love, acceptance and forgiveness.

“God, I pray that You would reveal Yourself to more and more people in this world.  Soften hearts and turn men and women back to You.  For those of us who know You as our Savior, I ask for the courage and strength that we need to resist temptation and go against the culture by sharing Your love with others, even our enemies.  Open our eyes to the needs of those who have been marginalized and forgotten.  May we use the resources You have entrusted us with to bless them in life changing ways.  In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.”

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God.

–Micah 6:8

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

 –James 1:27