Jeremiah 13:11 "'For as a belt is bound around a man's waist, so I bound the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah to me,' declares the Lord, 'to be my people for my renown and praise and honor. But they have not listened.'"
God instructs Jeremiah to buy a belt and hide it in a crevice in the rocks. After a few days, Jeremiah fetches the belt and sees that it is wrecked, worn and useless. God explains that like this belt, he bound them together to his side, to be his people. But because they have forgotten about God, they too, like this belt are now useless.
I see God's anger show up often in the prophets but here I see a genuine hurt and sadness. God is wounded by how his people have turned their backs on him. God loves us so much and every time I turn my back to him, he feels betrayed and hurt-like a scorned lover. How can I keep from turning away from him this week?
Dear Jesus, help me to not turn my back to you. Amen.
