It’s probably best to avoid Jeremiah in your Lenten reading if you’re into the warm fuzzy God stuff. As a matter of fact, you will need to avoid the Romans 3 reading for today as well.

In fact, close your eyes, connect your middle finger with your thumb, and just start singing “Kumbaya.”

If your view of God is the warm fuzzies and how he just loves you just like you are and requires nothing of obedience, this stuff out of Jeremiah just won’t do.

²² Should you not fear me?” declares the Lord.
“Should you not tremble in my presence?
I made the sand a boundary for the sea,
an everlasting barrier it cannot cross.
The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail;
they may roar, but they cannot cross it.
²³ But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts;
they have turned aside and gone away.
²⁴ They do not say to themselves,
‘Let us fear the Lord our God,
who gives autumn and spring rains in season,
who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.’
²⁵ Your wrongdoings have kept these away;
your sins have deprived you of good. (Jer. 5:22-25, NIV)

I love the Lord. He is incredible. Yet, he is powerful. I need to step back from time to time and realize he is the One who stops the oceans. Who am I in his presence?

He is KING. I need to understand his reign in my life, which, from time to time, will lead to a healthy dose of awe. It’s not my kingdom! It is HIS kingdom!

Let us fear God.