Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Mar/81

Contributor - Cor G. Bons

Title - Meditation

Topic - Meditation

Amend your ways and your doings and I will let you dwell in this place." Jeremiah 7.-3

The seven weeks before Easter are called the Season of Lent. The Church of the Reformation decided in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries in The Netherlands to use those seven weeks to emphasize especially the sufferings of the Lord Jesus Christ, and to call the people to repentance and prayer for the forgiveness of sins.

Many ministers have faithfully observed this Season and preached sermons about Jesus' sufferings. However, I wonder, how many of you who read this meditation, are truly observing this special season.

You see, in the time of the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah, the people of Israel were faithfully observing their temple worship, their religious ceremonies and traditions. Yet, this man of God was sent by the Lord to stand in the gate of the Lord's House and proclaim this word, "Amend your ways and your doings, and I will let you dwell in this place". Apparently, although he was talking to a people that faithfully observed their religion, yet he could not offer them any hope if they would not change their ways and their doings.

A closer look at this prophecy reveals that an OUTWARD restorations had taken place in that time, but that nothing had changed INWARDLY Jeremiah was talking about the need for that inward change, the need for true repentance.

We may be observing the Season of Lent and listening to sermons about Jesus' Passion and Death on the Cross; yet, if the direction of our hearts is not affected by it, what good does it do?

We are living in critical times with a rather uncertain future ahead of us. For many people this is a frightening thought. It is, of course, great for Christians to have the reassuring words of the Gospel of Matthew 6, where Jesus' words are quoted,

"Do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body what you shall put on ... for your heavenly Father knows that you need them all."

Yet, I tell you that we must learn to pray, "O God, be with us". Our life has to take a new direction which is governed and controlled by the commandments of Jesus Christ. We must not rest assured in our church membership and traditions and the observance of religious ceremonies. We must humbly and faithfully follow Jesus.

I tell you that our hope in Jesus Christ is a false hope, unless God's presence in Jesus Christ leads us to obey Him because we love Him, trust Him and look forward to a closer walk with Him.

Use this Season of Lent, therefore, not just to attend church faithfully. but to yield your heart and your life's direction to the God of your salvation For He stands at the door and He knocks.

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