Our Wickedness
We acknowledge our wickedness, Lord, and the guilt of our ancestors; we have indeed sinned against you.
Jeremiah 14:20–22 (NIV)
20 We acknowledge our wickedness, Lord,
and the guilt of our ancestors;
we have indeed sinned against you.
21 For the sake of your name do not despise us;
do not dishonor your glorious throne.
Remember your covenant with us
and do not break it.
22 Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain?
Do the skies themselves send down showers?
No, it is you, Lord our God.
Therefore our hope is in you,
for you are the one who does all this.
Therefore Our Hope Is in You
Today’s reading forces us to confront something uncomfortable — our own sin.
Knowingly or unknowingly, sin creeps into our lives. It slowly draws us away from God. Every time we allow sin to take control, we dishonor the One who created and loves us.
Jeremiah models something powerful here: he begins with acknowledgment.
“We acknowledge our wickedness, Lord…”
There is no excuse. No justification. No shifting of blame.
Just confession.
The Depth of Our Need
Our wickedness often runs deeper than we realize. Pride hides it. Busyness distracts us from it. Comparison minimizes it.
But acknowledgment is the first step toward restoration.
The truth is, God does not owe us mercy. In justice, He could leave us to bear the full consequence of sin. Yet instead of condemnation, He chose redemption. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to bear what we could not carry.
That covenant — made for our good, not His necessity — reveals the depth of His love.
Jeremiah pleads with God not to break His promise. Yet we know that our God is faithful to every word He speaks. It is not God who breaks covenant — it is we who drift.
Still, His mercy remains.
Where Does Provision Come From?
The passage shifts to a powerful reminder:
“Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain?”
Rain represented survival. Without it, crops failed and people suffered. Jeremiah makes it clear — idols cannot provide what only God can give.
Even today, we are tempted to trust modern idols: systems, wealth, power, influence, or human solutions. But none of these ultimately control the outcome of our lives.
God alone sends the rain.
He allows what fits into His perfect plan. The devastation we see in the world — conflict, injustice, suffering — is not because He delights in pain. It reveals the brokenness of humanity. Yet even in brokenness, God works out salvation and grace.
He is still sovereign.
Our Hope Is in Him
The passage ends with this declaration:
“Therefore our hope is in you.”
After confession comes renewed dependence.
Our confidence does not lie in our consistency. It rests in God’s character.
Even in seasons where we feel lost, ashamed, or helpless, we return to this truth: our hope is in the Lord who does all things according to His wisdom.
Today, let us approach Him with broken and humble hearts. Let us admit our sin openly and ask for forgiveness, grace, and His encompassing love.
Confession is not the end of the story — it is the doorway to renewal.
If this reflection spoke to you, consider subscribing to follow along my journey of faith, meditation, and rebuilding — one day at a time.
Your support truly means more than you know ❤️