WEEKLY REFLECTION by Pastor Lap Dinh on Jeremiah‬ ‭8‬:‭11‬-‭12‬

“They have healed the brokenness of the daughter of My people superficially, Saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ But there is no peace. “Were they ashamed because of the abomination they had done? They were not ashamed at all, And they did not know how to be ashamed; Therefore they will fall among those who fall; At the time of their punishment they will collapse,” Says the Lord.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭8‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ When God heals our brokenness, He wants to heal deeply from the inside out, not superficially. He calls His servants to be instruments in delivering the healing process by proclaiming His Word. There will be no peace for those who know God's Word but do not do it. They were not ashamed of sin. In fact, they ignored it for so long that they lost the ability to feel shame. Their sinning has become a habit. Their repentance is superficial. Spiritualized "pep talks" like "You will be alright" or saying "God loves you" without addressing sin and the need to stop sinning, repent, and return/run to Christ are empty. Without wholeheartedly believing in Jesus and walking according to His ways, there will be no peace. Without having peace with God through Christ—the ultimate Healer—there will be no healing for the brokenness of our fallen humanity. And the end will be severe: collapse and punishment.

Has God shown people His mercy? He has. Thanks be to His Son, Jesus, who wholly heals the broken, the downtrodden, the collapsed, and the punished. But how? Just come to Jesus and walk with Him by living out His Word and journeying with His Body—the local church to which you are committed. Then the peace of Christ will be with you and heal your brokenness.