Why is there no recovery?
Jeremiah 8:18 - 9:16

Recently I took up a new job assignment with a group of physicians in a new province. Financially it appeared to be a good option, allowing me to earn my keep in a shorter amount of time, leaving a few months free for church ministry and medical mission work.

But I found myself in that insidious mental snare the world places us in, a snare that seems to be in our very psyche – the need to be reliant on monetary aspects of life. And in the present recession, there is always the pervasive fear I may not earn enough to spend money on overseas travel and mission work. It niggles at the periphery of my consciousness, insinuating to the centre at times, despite my affirmation of trust in God.

Why is the recession still with us. Where is the economic recovery? The land is hurting, the financial system is under strain, real people are suffering, and we ask, like Jeremiah, “why then is there no recovery?” (8:22)

Well, it is so easy to look at the problems of this nation through secular lenses. But God wants us to understand that there is a spiritual reason for the morass the world is in. It happened years ago to nation Israel, it is happening to day to nations around the world. There seems to be no cure, no “balm of Gilead” in sight (8:22). Is the nation or economic system or moral compass going to “perish and burn up like a wilderness”? (9:12). And why is that so?

1. It is that we have strayed far from God these days (Jeremiah 9: 13). It is not only a question of disobedience to God anymore. It is indifference and a disinterest in the things of God. People do not care whether God exists anymore, let alone feel they must obey Him. We have forsaken His law. And we have disobeyed His voice.
2. It is that we follow our own dictates (Jeremiah 9:14). Don’t know what to do in a situation? Just make up your own decisions, we are told. As long as no one is hurt, it is fine. It is NOT fine, unfortunately. For when we neglect to acknowledge God and to seek His Word to guide us, we will end up in ruins (9: 11).
3. Worse still – and proving this is a spiritual problem – we seek after the “Baals” (Jeremiah 9:14b). “Baal” is the word the gentiles used for the god of the day. Today’s “Baals” is the pantheon of spiritualities endemic in western society and overtly practiced in the east. All of us are gods, and all religions lead to god, we are told. The “Baals” of the past have taken root today, and God is unimpressed.

Why is there no recovery?

Because we have not factored in the Master Physician, Jesus Christ, who can cure any ailment. He is waiting to be asked. Jesus came to pay the price for our sin; to be called into our lives personally as our Lord and Saviour.  And as more in society genuinely call upon His name, healing will come to the nation.

If we continue as we are, we will drink the “water of gall” (9:15). The results of sinful and wanton behaviour are catching up. The world in general and each person in particular, will keep on enduring the vagaries of today’s dysfunctional society, and not know why it is happening.

Turn to the Lord our God. Give your life to Him. Trust Him. Let us start each one, one at a time.