Change direction

The book of Jeremiah is a call to repentance that begins with Jeremiah’s own heart:

‘Therefore, this is what the Lord says: “If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman…”’ (15:19). Repentance means changing your heart and mind and turning back to God.

Change the direction of your heart and mind towards God - Jeremiah 14:1-15:21

Jeremiah was God’s spokesperson. He turned his heart and mind to listen to the word of the Lord. This was in stark contrast to the false prophets of the day: the Lord says about them, ‘These preachers are liars, and they use my name to cover their lies. I never sent them, I never commanded them, and I don’t talk with them. The sermons they’ve been handing out are a sheer illusion, tissues of lies, whistlings in the dark’ (14:14, MSG).

On the other hand, Jeremiah’s heart and mind were set on listening to the Lord: ‘This is the word of the Lord to Jeremiah’ (v.1); ‘Then the Lord said to me…’ (15:1). He knew how amazing it was to hear the words of the Lord: ‘When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight’ (v.16). Ultimately, this is the only thing that will satisfy the deepest longings of your heart and mind.

Resolve to continue to read God’s words every day and to meditate on them in your heart and mind. Once you have heard the word of the Lord, pass on the life-changing message unchanged: ‘Let your words change them. Don’t change your words to suit them’ (v.19, MSG).

God be in my head, and in my understanding;

God be in my eyes, and in my looking;

God be in my mouth, and in my speaking;

God be in my heart, and in my thinking;

God be at my end, and at my departing.