Although they say, 'As surely as the LORD lives,' still they are swearing falsely." – Jeremiah 5:2

Today's Scripture Reading (March 30, 2020): Jeremiah 5

Mahatma Gandhi argued that "It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err." True humility is found in the admission that we can be neither strong nor wise enough for what life asks of us. And we will never be in a position where we do not have to depend on the generosity of others, no matter how long we might strive for that kind of independence.

And spiritually, even though we try to follow the dictates of God, we know that we always fall short. We misunderstand the things that God is asking of us. We are often culturally, rather than biblically influenced. I have admitted to anyone who might ask that I think my theology is 90% right. Some are surprised that that number isn't higher, while others often think I am bragging, and it probably isn't even that high. But don't miss the message of the statement. As much as I read, listen, and study the Bible, I am sure that I don't have it all right. But what is even scarier is that I don't know where the error might be, and I suspect it is not where some of my friends and colleagues might think it is, or else I would correct the situation.

God promises that if Jeremiah could find one person who deals honestly and seeks truth, that he would forgive the city. It seemed like an easy task. After all, wasn't Jeremiah honest and seeking the truth. Wasn't Huldah in the city, working honestly and seeking truth among the women of the city. One is not a high number. But God stresses that many might swear that they are honest and seeking truth, but the promise itself is a lie.

I think God's comment was less about the spirituality of the city than it was about the pride of the people. The problem was that the people of Jerusalem were not humble enough to listen to God's prophets. They believed, because the Temple was right there in the city, that they were spiritually beyond reproach. And God's response was that we are never in a place spiritually where we do not need to hear from God; we are never in a place where we can ignore his prophets.

It is a reality with which we need to become comfortable, admitting that we do not always know the correct answers. But then, our faith has never been based on the right answers, but rather on the right person. Our hope is in Jesus Christ, who paid the price for us. In the words of the author of Hebrews, Jesus is where we place our confidence, and not in the things that we can know.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 6