Devotion - Tuesday, March 3

Like the other prophets, Jeremiah spoke words intended to reclaim the people to the word and will of God.  We tend to associate prophets with those who predict the future.  Biblical prophets spoke of coming events only in that they could see the end result of how the people were acting.  They knew the word of God and they understood the results of turning aside from the promise with which God created us.

In Jeremiah 2, the prophet finds it difficult to understand how the people could have forgotten God. Through him, God asks, "What wrong did your fathers find in me that they went far from me?"

How could this happen?  How could we forget?

"Can a maiden forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire?"

There are many things (a great many things) which we never forget.  There are many things (a great many things) which are forever present in our hearts and on our minds.  Those things are important, for some reason.  Surely, it is also important for us to remember God and God's goodness and God's presence in guiding our lives? 

Do we become like the people of ancient Israel?  Do we forget our God while remembering our ornaments and or attire?

It doesn't take a prophet to see where such a poor memory is likely to lead us.  That is a future easily seen by any who have eyes.