Chapter 719 of 1163

JEREMIAH 7

God told Jeremiah to preach a sermon at the gate of the temple and tell the people that their confidence was unfounded because they were trusting the wrong things. The false prophets were saying, “Nothing can happen to Jerusalem because the temple is here” (v. 4); “We are safe because we offer sacrifices to the Lord” (v. 21); “We have the ark of God’s covenant, the throne of the Lord” (3:16); and “We have the law of God” (8:8).

The temple, the sacrifices, the ark, and the Law were indeed precious things, but they could not be used to please God apart from the sincere devotion of the people to the Lord. The people were hiding their sins behind religion (vv. 8–15, 21–27). The so-called revival under King Josiah (2 Kings 22–23) was merely a surface reformation; it did not change the hearts of the people.

Never be satisfied with surface religion; be sure that God ministers to your heart and that you obey Him from the heart (Eph. 6:6). The only way to have confidence is to build on the Rock (Matt. 7:21–29), and the only way to build on the Rock is to obey what He says.

The True Source of Confidence

In what do you put your confidence? In lying words from optimistic false teachers (Jer. 7:4, 8)? In riches (Ps. 52:7)? In important people (Ps. 146:3–4; Amos 6:1)? In the intuitions of your own heart (Prov. 28:26)? In excellent equipment (Isa. 31:1)? In your own experience and expertise (Ps. 44:6)? Or in the living God (Ps. 118:8–9; Prov. 3:21–26)?

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