Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
WEDNESDAY, March 30
Jeremiah 8:18—9:6. O that I had in the desert a traveler’s lodging place, that I might leave my people and go away from them!
It isn’t for nothing that Jeremiah is known as the Weeping Prophet. He read the signs of the times and perceived that his country would soon crumble under a foreign invasion and its people be carried off as captives. But no one heeded his repeated cries to prepare and get their house in order. Jeremiah was seen as unpatriotic and a crank—until the end came.
In this verse Jeremiah seems to say that he would like to leave his country and flee to a deserted place. But we know that was not so. When the Babylonian army invaded, he did not leave but remained with his people to the end, until he was finally taken against his will to Egypt. Jeremiah merely wanted to distance himself from the infidelity he saw all around him.
Love of country is often confused with approval of country. “My country right or wrong,” some have said. The faithful, however, stand for the right, whether their country stands with them or not. Patriotism is a good thing, but not the best thing. When their country is headed in the wrong direction, God calls the faithful to oppose their country.
PRAY for the Diocese of Mpwapwa (Tanzania)
Ps 119:97-120 * 81, 82; Romans 5:1-11; John 8:12-20
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books for our church, St. Marks, Wadsworth, OH 44281. This is NOT connected with the church ...it is my private doing. Please direct me to the person who can help. Thankyou. Blessings, Barbara