The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Jeremiah 2:29-32, “Why do you contend with Me? You have all transgressed against Me,” declares the LORD.

30 “In vain I have struck your sons; They accepted no chastening. Your sword has devoured your prophets like a destroying lion.

31 “O generation, heed the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness to Israel, Or a land of thick darkness? Why do My people say, “We are free to roam; We will no longer come to You?”

32 “Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet My people have forgotten Me days without number.”

Not to dissuade your attitude regarding me as a child, but I was often in conflict with my parents. In retrospect, I see their contention: they were the authority. I was their possession, and I was to obey. It mattered not to me that they were older than I, or that they owned the house where I was allowed to live, or that they provided the food and clothing of which I eagerly and enjoyably partook; my singular focus was largely upon myself alone! In retrospect, however, I see things quite differently now than I did then.

If the LORD was ever encumbered with a faithless, thankless people (and He is!), it was with the Judeans. Wrapped in the comfort of His provisions, they summarily discounted His directives and counsel. Yet, when opposition surrounded them and fear abounded, they cried out to Him for help and deliverance.

Oh, how like those Judeans we are today! His warnings come; but we ignore them. Proudly and haughtily, we pretend to be confident. Yet, in the final hours of hurt and downfall, we cry out for His help and mercy. And because He loves us, He rescues us again and again. Oh, how very much we owe to Him! Oh, how much we ought to love Him!

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need, until He becomes all that we have.” –Corrie ten Boom