Amend Your Ways

Issues2 – January 2024 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Amend Your Ways

Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. —Jeremiah 17:3 JND

Jeremiah received the instruction from Jehovah to stand in the gate leading into the temple where the people went through to worship their L ORD . The prophet used strong language: “Amend your ways and doings.” Apparently the practices of the people did not measure up to what they confessed. If you read the whole chapter you will find that in all areas of life they were delinquent in the standards and requirements of the One they had come to worship. Similarly, we heap dishonor on the head of our blessed Savior when our walk and actions are not in accordance with what we profess.

The God in the Old Testament is still God in the New Testament, and His holiness never changes. The apostle Peter was very much occupied with that holiness in his letters. Where do we stand? What a challenge it is to read Jeremiah 7 with an open mind, and to let the Word speak to our hearts and consciences. The Holy Spirit will apply it to us.

He, the Spirit of God, also directs us to the Man in Glory, our blessed High Priest, who is there to make intercession for us and to help us in our weaknesses. What a privilege to know the Lord in these aspects.

Amending our ways and doings in the presence of the Lord will have a great effect on our happiness and joy in the Lord Jesus. The promise for the people of Jeremiah’s time was that they would dwell in that place, Jehovah’s house (vv.2-3). It was the desire of the psalmist, in Psalm 84, to dwell in the house of God, where he would constantly praise Him. He would always be abiding in the presence of the LORD.

What a joy and blessing it is for the believer today to abide in Him. This gives us peace in our very troublesome times. May we hearken – hear and respond – to the voice of the Lord through Jeremiah, amend our ways and greatly desire to dwell with Him.

By Klaas Rot