Today’s Devotion
Topic: The Lord As The Valentine We Easily Ignore
Text: Jeremiah 2: 2b- 5
2b “This is what the Lord says: “’I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the wilderness, through a land not sown. 3 Israel was holy to the Lord, the first fruits of his harvest; all who devoured her were held guilty, and disaster overtook them,’” declares the Lord. 5 This is what the Lord says: “What fault did your ancestors find in me, that they strayed so far from me? They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves. Amen.
Each year today, we celebrate Valentine with enthusiasm. Whereas some argue that the celebration is very unnecessary because we do not need a day set aside to affirm love, others feel it is a fair opportunity to affirm their special love for loved ones and family.
As the argument of its relevance continues, it becomes clear that both parties agree on one thing; that re-affirming our love to those we care about is laudable. Except that none ever think about reaffirming the love relationship with God.
We think He is always there; ever loving and caring. No matter how far we stray He will still be there to care for us so we take His love for granted.
In the passage above, we see Jehovah remind us of our first love. He says “I remember the devotion of your youth, how you loved me as a bride and followed me even through the wilderness”.
Beloved, those were the days of pure devotion to God if you can remember. The very times where you hardly missed church services and never forgot to do your quiet time. Those days when you loved prayer, bible study, fasting, righteousness, forgiveness and serving the Lord with a joyful heart.
These days things have changed. You are becoming too busy with the things of God and keep blaming it on the Pastor, the church and its leaders.
Worldly pleasures have not only enticed you, they have taken over your heart such that the good you want to do, you are unable to, but the evil you do not want to do is the very thing you find yourself doing (Rom 7: 19).
The Lord is asking you today “what fault did you find in Me, that makes you stray so far from Me; following after worthless things that in the end render you as worthless as they are?
Meditate on these words and begin to pray now. Remember the height from which you have fallen and repent before your lampstand is removed from its place (Rev. 2: 5). Renew your vow to Jesus, affirm your willingness to serve Him and ask for the grace to walk blameless before God, guided by this Love that in Christ we know.
Jesus has said in John 14: 15, something that is still very relevant to us today: “if you love me, keep my commandments” (Jh 14: 15). LET YOUR HEART BE A VALENTINE PARCEL FOR JESUS TODAY. His love is stronger than death. Shouldn’t you love Him more?
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