Individual Focus
As one of the students who strived to do their best it was frustrating when you were treated in the same fashion as those who were disobedient.
Jeremiah 5:1-31
Reference: v.1 “Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares. If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city.” (NIV Bible)
Explore: I really enjoyed primary school. As I look back I would have to say that between the ages of 5-12 I peaked in my education! I was always amongst the top students of my class, I had a good group of friends and I got along really well with my teachers. While I was usually a very well behaved student, there were numerous times that I had to stay in during lunchtime or missed out on a fun activity because some of my classmates had misbehaved. I’m sure you’ve seen it before: while a few students may be dedicated to their work, a decent group of children are disruptive and roudy and therefore the whole class suffer the consequence. I’m sure I would do the same if I was a teacher, but as one of the students who strived to do their best it was frustrating when you were treated in the same fashion as those who were disobedient.
Application: We are so lucky to have a God who has the capacity to know who is ‘misbehaving’ and who is ‘striving to do their best’. God does not lump us in one big group together and treat us all the same. God doesn’t hold to stereotypes, He doesn’t make misinformed judgments and He doesn’t make rash generalizations. He hears our silent prayers and knows our deepest thoughts even when we feel surrounded by so much noise and clutter. We may feel insignificant but we are of the utmost important to our Lord. God was willing to save the Israelites, although they were doing so much wrong, if just one person was seeking the true God. If you feel surrounded by so much that is ungodly, know that the Lord draws near to those who seek Him.
Prayer: Lord, we can so easily be consumed with our current environment and feel so overwhelmed by our world. Help us to notice Your loving arms around us. Amen.
The Lord listens out for you. What would you say to God today?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.