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REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is God weeps with us and for us. To weep means to shed tears. Jeremiah uses the human characteristic of weeping as an anthropomorphism to describe God’s response to sin and its effect on human beings and nature at large. Jeremiah warns Israel to repent and turn to God so that they may escape the siege of the Babylonian empire which will lead them into exile or captivity.

We would observe that God has a strong displeasure or dislike for sin and would punish the unrepentant and wicked, thus God says in Jeremiah 9:8-9 that “Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully; with his mouth each speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he plans an ambush for him. Shall I not punish them for these things? declares the LORD, and shall I not avenge myself on a nation such as this?” It is however interesting to note that, in as much as God hates sin and a time will come where He will leave us with no choice but to punish evil doers, it hurts Him that human beings and nature would have to suffer the ramifications of sin or disobedience of humanity. It is for this reason God weeps with us and for us when we refuse to repent and have to suffer the consequences of our sins. “I will take up weeping and wailing for the mountains, and a lamentation for the pastures of the wilderness, because they are laid waste so that no one passes through, and the lowing of cattle is not heard; both the birds of the air and the beasts have fled and are gone. I will make Jerusalem a heap of ruins, a lair of jackals, and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation, without inhabitant.” (Jeremiah 9:9-11)

Dear friend in the Lord, God assures as in Ezekiel 33:11 that “Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?” It is for this reason “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16-17). God no longer weeps with us and for us when we repent and are saved through Christ, our Lord because “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance…there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:7,10). God rejoices when we repent and live according to His will but we make Him weep with us and for us when we continue to live in sin. Shalom.

PRAYER

Merciful God, we do not want to incur your anger and cause you to weep with us and for us because of our sin. Dear Lord, rejoice with us and for us because we offer our lives to you as a living, holy and acceptable sacrifice. Strengthen us to ramain focused in faith, doing your will always and to overcome sin and the temptations of this world. Amen