Do You Not Fear Me? Says the Lord

This meditation is based on a passage for March 26, 2011 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Jeremiah 5:20-31

Reflection and Question: The central question asked in this passage – “Do you not fear me?” –is just as important in our time as in Jeremiah’s time. For me, fear is a feeling that I am in over my head and in need of help. In the face of God, there is no doubt that we are in over our heads and it is a measure of God’s grace that God invites us to cry out for the help we need. At the same time, humble fear of God among the wealthy – as we are – leads to care for the needy, allaying their fears. Jeremiah here warns us of God’s wrath when we fail to understand this spiritual logic. Do you fear God and what do you do then?

Prayer: Almighty God, give us the ears and eyes to know Your will and Your ways. Find no scoundrels among us. Calm our fears so that we may calm the fears of others. When the end comes may we comprehend Your power and trust in You. Amen.