Jeremiah 15:19  So the LORD says, “Turn away from your sins.  Then I will heal you.  And then you will be able to serve me.  Speak words that are worthy, not worthless.  Then you will be speaking for me.  Let these people turn to you.  But you must not turn to them.” 

I was reading Jeremiah chapter 15 in my devotion time, and the above verse really stuck out to me.  God is being very specific with us.  If we turn away from our sins, He will heal us.  I believe that we can block what God wants to do in our lives and through our lives when we allow sin to have a place in us.  How can God bless and use us when we know that we are living a life that is not pleasing to Him?  He can’t and He won’t.  Yet God said He would heal us if we turn away from our sins.  What do you think He meant…physical healing?  I believe that we can block being physically healed when we knowingly allow sin to live in us.  I also believe that sin is a sickness that we need cured from.  When we take the steps to rid ourselves of everything that is not pleasing to God – sin, etc. – then God will heal us.  What does that healing look like?  If you choose this path, letting go of your sins, you will not look like yourself anymore.  There will be something different about you.  You will feel lighter, but most of all, you will know that you are free.  There is something about a person like this that people are attracted to.  People will notice God in you!  Understand God does not want to punish us, but He will and does.  But it is God’s desire to see us live free!  Look at the next part of our verse: “Then you will be able to serve me.”  We can’t serve God the way we should if we knowingly allow sin in our lives.  But when we rid ourselves of sin, we are first Healed, and then we are Freed, and finally Able to Serve.

This next part is for pastors, teachers, and anyone who speaks God’s Word.  God’s Word is precious!  I’m sure you know this, but all of us need reminded from time to time.  Our verse says to “speak words that are worthy, not worthless”.  I know many people who are great at talking.  (I do not happen to be one of them.)  They love people and want to share story after story with whoever might seem interested and even with those who might not be.  Yet as pastors, teachers, etc. we have to be careful that we speak God’s Word, things that are worthy!  Illustrations are great to help flesh out what the Scripture is saying, so we in turn can relate to it.  But there has to be more.  Too many times we focus more on the illustration and less on the Word.  The good news is when we do focus on what is Worthy (God’s Word) then there is a promise: “Then you will be speaking for me.”

I never want to take my speaking opportunities for granted.  Speaking God’s Word to anyone, anywhere, is a privilege.  I have heard too many pastors say, “I HAVE to go such and such a place to speak…”  You don’t HAVE to, you GET to!  Read that last part again.  I am thankful for every chance I get to share God’ Word, and I pray that all the leaders, teachers, etc. out there feel the same.

God is Good!

PRay