Returning to your first love

The Lord gave me another message. He said, “Go and shout this message to Jerusalem. This is what the Lord says: “I remember how eager you were to please me as a young bride long ago, how you loved me and followed me even through the barren wilderness. In those days Israel was holy to the Lord, the first of his children. All who harmed his people were declared guilty, and disaster fell on them. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Listen to the word of the Lord, people of Jacob—all you families of Israel! This is what the Lord says: “What did your ancestors find wrong with me that led them to stray so far from me? They worshiped worthless idols, only to become worthless themselves. Jeremiah 2:1-5 From the text through the Prophet Jeremiah, God expressed His dismay to the Israelites for they were not following through with their commitment to Him. They have grown cold in their devotion to God and they turned to idols. God was very much concerned on what is happening to the people of Judah and He did not want them to continue to drift away from His love. In the midst of their disobedience, God was still in pursuit and was still waiting for His people to return. As He was pursuing them, He wanted them to recall when they first expressed their commitment and love to Him. It was just like the love of newlywed couple where they were looking forward to the future. There was excitement and desire to grow in the relationship. Obedience was demonstrated in the willingness to live a life pleasing to God. Even when life was difficult for them while in the wilderness they continued to trust God. God brought them to a place where they could remember what their relationship looked like that by being reminded they will rekindle their devotion to God. What happened to Israelites in the time of Jeremiah could also happen to Christians once they start to look to other gods. If you are not guarding your heart, you could grow cold in your love for God. Later on in the chapter, God told them that they will not be spared from the consequences of their disobedience. Then they will realize that the gods they turned to were worthless for they would not be able to save them. “They turn their backs on me, but in times of trouble they cry out to me, ‘Come and save us!’ But why not call on these gods you have made? When trouble comes, let them save you if they can! For you have as many gods as there are towns in Judah” (Jeremiah 2:27-28). Being reminded of your first love to God is always important. You may not realize it yet but as you continue to drift away from God, you will notice that your love to Him is not the same as when you began your relationship with Him. It is not God who has changed; it was you that has changed. If your love to God right now is not as intense as it once was, return to your first love. “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first” (Revelation 2:4-5).

Blessings,