Friday 09 March 2018

Psalm: Psalm 33

Background

One of the hymns that I often find myself returning to when leading worship is Great is thy faithfulness. It is a reminder of God’s commitment to us throughout our lives and to God’s creation throughout history. As Jeremiah continues to speak to the people he reminds them of God’s faithfulness to them and their unfaithfulness to God.

This isn’t a new message but one that every servant and prophet have been given since they had left Egypt. Some heard and responded, and sought to live faithful lives in light of the covenant and what God had asked of them (verse 23). Others, though, chose to live by their own rules and instead of looking forward to what God was doing, looked back to where they had come from.

The message is a re-framing of many of Jeremiah’s other words. The people have rejected God’s living water and dug their own broken cisterns (Jeremiah 2:13), they have tried to cover their sins with religious piety (Jeremiah 7:10) and here in its clearest form, they have refused to listen to God’s call. These actions lead first the northern kingdom of Israel and soon the southern kingdom of Judah to be taken into exile. This is the consequence of their actions as they had wandered away from God and chosen their own path. As Jeremiah closes these people will become known as the nation that did not listen to God’s voice (verse 28).

To Ponder

• Can you think of times where God has been faithful to you? What was it like?