Scripture

At that time the Lord of Heavens armies called you to weep and mourn. He told you to shave your heads in sorrow for your sins and to wear clothes of burlap to show your remorse. But instead, you dance and play, you slaughter cattle and kill sheep.

Observation

Jerusalem, the Valley of Vision, will fall to the enemy army, at the hand of the Lord.

The people run to the armoury for weapons; they inspect the wall for breaks. but they don’t ask for help from the Lord who sent the enemy.

The Lord called on them to weep and mourn for their sins. Instead, they feasted and celebrated. The Lord says they will not they will not be forgiven for this sin

Application

There is a time for celebration in the Kingdom of God. There is also a time for solemn repentance before God.

Some churches hold what they call solemn assemblies. These are times when the whole congregation gathers to confess their communal sins and to put their lives into the correct order before the Lord.

The people of Jerusalem had been commanded by the Lord to repent to repent of their sins and to be solemn before Him. Instead, they chose to party as as if everything was OK. For this, they would not be forgiven.

When the Lord calls us to turn away from our sins, it is not a suggestion. When He tells us to do that now, He will not wait until we get around to it. The time for repentance is always now, in the moment when we are aware of our sins.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, please help me to keep my life centred in you. When I am off the track, please call me back into your path and give me grace to repent. Amen.