Only Acknowledge Your Guilt | Morning Routine Daily Devotional for January 9

Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, “‘Return, faithless Israel, declares the Lord. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, declares the Lord; I will not be angry forever. Only acknowledge your guilt, that you rebelled against the Lord your God and scattered your favors among foreigners under every green tree, and that you have not obeyed my voice, declares the Lord. — Jeremiah 3:12-13 ESV

God’s message through the prophet Jeremiah comes to the Israelites just before the Babylonians invaded the nation and took it captive. Babylon would conquer Israel for a time because Israel was in perpetual, unrepentant sin.

In today’s passage, the Lord shows His grace and mercy, calling Israel to return to Him. He warns His people in order that they might repent and avoid the impending judgment. How are they to repent and return to Him? He says, ‘acknowledge your guilt,’ that they have failed to obey the Lord’s voice and have neglected His commands. Unfortunately, as the book unfolds, we learn that Israel does not in fact repent and falls to the Babylonians. 

The Lord’s merciful encouragement that His people acknowledge their guilt continues, even to this day. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” As we become aware of our sin, may we be quick to acknowledge it to the Lord. Parents and teachers, consider how you might encourage your children or students to do the same, to be quick to admit when they are wrong. Certainly, as adults, as leaders, we are to set the example!

May God bless you today as you show the younger and weaker, the pathway of righteousness.