"What fault did your fathers find in me,
that they strayed so far from me?
They followed worthless idols
and became worthless themselves." - Jeremiah 2:5
Jeremiah 2 starts with God recalling the devotion of Israel to Him. He described her as, "a bride you loved me and followed me through the desert, through a land not sown." Israel, for a time, loved God despite. It was not as if she only loved Him during a time of abundance. She had loved Him as He is. Even through the desert of dryness and hardship. But what is it about Israel that makes her often forsake the God of has forsaken much for her? Is there something wrong with God? How can the epitome of perfection, love and beauty deserve to lose the eyes of a nation little less worthy of His relentless affections?
I am like Israel and inasmuch as I run away from God many times, I also find myself cringing inside as I internalize this very question that grips the heart of my beloved Savior, "What fault did you find in me?" What fault is there in Him? Oh, what fault is there in my God that I had set him aside so many times... What response can I give to such a question? And what explanation can I give for such foolishness on my part?
And yes, our running away is not only a reflection of foolishness. It is a manifestation of blindness and pride:
"Has a nation ever changed its gods?
(Yet they are not gods at all.)
But my people have exchanged their [d] Glory
for worthless idols" - Jeremiah 2:11
Do we actually think the fulfillment our desires can be found in 'these'? And 'these' can range from the subtlest amoral hobbies to the most sinful addictions. Even the good things in life, we have tuned into gods, thinking we will find glory or fulfillment in them. Thinking we can create or re-create things or accomplishments that are more important that the God-Lover who destroys all our adversaries with a wave of his hand.
"What can I do with you... Your love is like the morning mist,
like the early dew that disappears." - Hosea 6:4
And this is us. And this is me, wavering in my love. "Who am I that You care to know my name?" the Psalmist would say. But my God is constant in His reply, "though you are unfaithful, Israel, I am faithful..."
And this must be, one of the endless reasons why we celebrate Emmanuel. "God with us," is "God with us despite." Despite my worst me and your worst you, He came. Because he wanted to have that chance to woo us, and perhaps turn our quickly disappearing love, into something that a miracle can. And miracles were exactly what Jesus did here on earth.
May you have your own special miracle(s) this Christmas!
Love you all. :)
Riz
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