Lamentations 2:14: “Your prophets have seen for you / False and deceptive visions; / They have not uncovered your iniquity, / To bring back your captives, / But have envisioned for you false prophecies and delusions.”

November 22nd, 2024 by Pastor Ed in devotional

False prophets foretold lies of peace and comfort to the people of Jerusalem. The people wanted to hear only of good things coming, even though it was in direct contradiction to what God had commanded Jeremiah to speak. These prophets also refused to speak out against the open sins of idolatry going on in the city. By refusing to take a stand against sin, they actually helped bring about Jerusalem’s final destruction. Jeremiah had faithfully warned Judah of the destruction to come if they did not repent of their sins, but they chose to listen to the false prophets instead. Judgment came by the Babylonians, who destroyed the temple, tore down Jerusalem’s walls, and took the people and King Zedekiah captive to Babylon.

All of this happened because the people of Jerusalem refused to repent, to confess their sins and turn from them. God’s Good News is that He will not cast away a repentant heart. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” But if there is no repentance, there can be no pardon.

There is an area of Romania where believers are referred to as “The Repenters.” They understand that a willingness to confess and repent of sin is what ought to clearly distinguish us from the unbelieving world.

“LORD, we repent of our sins and turn to You now, asking You to empower us to walk with You this day, in Jesus’ name we pray.”