I’ve started reading in Jeremiah.  I’m not sure why I chose Jeremiah, but I think I’m going to learn a lot from this book.  The Old Testament needs to be read as well and I’ve been reading the book of Psalms so much and the New Testament that I’ve neglected the Old Testament. There are 52 chapters in the book of Jeremiah.  I scanned a few of the chapters first and found this verse, Jeremiah 17:10.  This a scary verse to me but also a verse that keeps me in check.  I think it’s that little word conduct!  God called Jeremiah to preach to the people of God since they had lost their way.

 “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.”  —  Jeremiah 17:10

Larry Wilson, founder of Wake Up America Seminars:

The book of Jeremiah offers a number of valuable insights about the ways of God. When the story found in Jeremiah is compared to the story found in Revelation, certain parallels are unmistakable because the actions of God are consistent. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Consider the big picture. God is about to deal with the cumulative guilt of a whole world. This current generation of six billion people is too diverse and apostasy has gone too far to recover; therefore, God’s wrath is about to be revealed. He will faithfully deal with every person.

God reminded Jeremiah of His interest in each person saying, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.” (Jer 17:9,10)

Even though the warning about the destruction of Jerusalem was given over a period of about 250 years, when time for destruction came, the armies of Nebuchadnezzar appeared in one day. Even though God repeatedly warned His people through His servants the prophets, there was no “heart” change.

Even though God was patient and forbearing, there was no repentance. Even though God was willing to relent of His wrath, Israel and Judah scorned their Benefactor. If God’s own people would not change, what is the likelihood of a religiously diverse world of six billion people repenting from their sins if warned of coming judgments?

History says, “Not possible.” This is the reason why the coming judgments of God will commence without warning on one day in the very near future. “While people are saying, peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” (1 The 5:3)

The Bible confirms that advance warnings from God did not change decadent behavior in Noah’s day or Jeremiah’s day, and sadly our generation is no different today.