Thus says the Lord: “I remember…the kindness of your youth…” —Jeremiah 2:2
Am I as spontaneously kind to God as I used to be, or am I only expecting God to be kind to me? Does everything in my life fill His heart with gladness, or do I constantly complain because things don’t seem to be going my way? A person who has forgotten what God treasures will not be filled with joy. It is wonderful to remember that Jesus Christ has needs which we can meet— “Give Me a drink” (John 4:7). How much kindness have I shown Him in the past week? Has my life been a good reflection on His reputation?
God is saying to His people, “You are not in love with Me now, but I remember a time when you were.” He says, “I remember…the love of your betrothal…” (Jeremiah 2:2). Am I as filled to overflowing with love for Jesus Christ as I was in the beginning, when I went out of my way to prove my devotion to Him? Does He ever find me pondering the time when I cared only for Him? Is that where I am now, or have I chosen man’s wisdom over true love for Him? Am I so in love with Him that I take no thought for where He might lead me? Or am I watching to see how much respect I get as I measure how much service I should give Him?
As I recall what God remembers about me, I may also begin to realize that He is not what He used to be to me. When this happens, I should allow the shame and humiliation it creates in my life, because it will bring godly sorrow, and “godly sorrow produces repentance…” (2 Corinthians 7:10).
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Journal DJR
Good morning Lord,
When Chambers spoke of shame and humiliation in the last paragraph, my first reaction was to recoil away from that as perhaps a manipulative tool used by religion and the enemy of our souls, Satan. But he equated it to “godly sorrow” that leads to repentance, so it appears to be useful in a Christian life …. if used correctly. So how do we handle shame and humiliation? Such that we don’t wallow in it for years? That certainly can’t be your best plan for us?
As a time of separation or disobedience is coming to an end, you may feel shame or humiliation, like the prodigal son did. The question is how long you want to stay in that place. It’s up to you. You can stay in that pain for a long time or you can come out the other end very quickly. The entrance to that place was sin, having your own way, and the exit from that place is repentance and coming home to me and doing life my way. Consider shame and humiliation to be an indicator that something is amiss. Like gauges on the dashboard of your car. Like you do with your peace meter. When you recognize shame and humiliation, you know that is not how I want you to live and that, just like the Father waited with open arms for the Prodigal Son to return, I wait for you to return, with plans for a party. So don’t wait in shame. Repent for whatever the Holy Spirit shows you and run back to me. I have paid for all of your sins, and remember them no more. I want you to live in joy and excitement and peace. Don’t let shame and humiliation keep you from me. Just repent (surrender) and come to me so that we can get on with the party and the adventure.
Luke 15:17-23
17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’
20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.[a]’
22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.
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