A Philosophy of Blame

Jeremiah 30:18-22

As a people, as a nation, as a culture, we are missing something vital.  Many of the older group that I fall into blames it on the breakdown of the family, the fatherless homes, and the latchkey child who comes home to an empty home.  And I believe all of that has a part of what is troubling our nation and maybe yours. 

I think the answer is found in Jeremiah 2:11, “Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods?  But my people have changed their Glory for that which does not profit.”  We find ourselves at a time in our history that seems unique, but it is not unique.  We have a philosophy of blame, and it is not a new thing, it can be traced back to Adam and Eve.  In our not so sophisticated society we are master of the blame game, if my husband/wife, if my parents, if my teachers if my boss or company had, and the list just keeps going.  But in our hearts, it comes down to if God!

So it comes back to us who go by the name Christian, and a verse that has great insight but is so overused, and it is as common as John 3:16.  “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)  

It all comes back to the “then if my people.”  Not the nonbelieving world, not the pew sitter, but the follower of Christ.  We have been called to be light, not Republicans, not conservative, but light in the darkness!  In the Gospel of Matthew 5:6, Jesus tells us how to be blessed, and it’s not chasing the little gods of this world, it's having a hunger and thirst for righteousness, for then we will be satisfied.

God promised Israel and Judah He would restore, and yet so many of us are looking to the new President, the House, and the Senate, as our hope of restoration.  Yes, God has used all kinds of people to do His will, some were evil, and some were good.  But it has always come down to “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”

 Now as we move to verses 21-22, Jeremiah is opening the window of what you and I refer to as the future.  It is a Messianic prophecy, and it tells us that He will call one of them, not a foreigner.  He will be like Melchizedek in that as the Son of God He can come face to face with the Father.  And He will declare, “You will be my people and I will be your God.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice