Wrapped Around His Waist
Jeremiah 13:01 - 13:11
"As a belt is wrapped tightly around a person's waist,
I wrapped the families of Israel and Judah around me,"
says the Lord.
"I did that so they would be my people and bring fame,
praise, and honour to me.
But my people would not listen."
(Jeremiah 13: 11)
God speaks to us in various powerful ways. And sometimes the
messages from God come as warnings. And here, in this passage we have read, we
find God speaking to prophet Jeremiah. The message is very clear and a closer
look at the meaning is life-changing. A linen belt!
God's word came to Jeremiah. "Go and buy a linen belt and
put it around your waist. Don't let the belt get wet" (Jeremiah 13:01).
Let's note down these three things. God wants Jeremiah to buy a linen belt for
a price; it is valuable, precious and not freely found to be taken. And
Jeremiah is asked to put it around his waist. The precious belt is not to be
kept inside a box or a cupboard. But is admirably worn. It adds to the waist's
purpose. Preciously worn! And also Jeremiah is asked to preserve that linen
belt worn aorund his waist. Not even allowing it to get wet.
And my dear friend, you being the chosen one by God, just like
the families of Israel and Judah, are precious in God's sight. He wears you
tightly wrapped around His waist, making you an important part of Him.
God spoke to Jeremiah a second time. "Take the belt you
bought and are wearing, and go to Perath. Hide the belt there in a crack in the
rocks" and Jeremiah did so. Interestingly, many days later the Lord
said to Jeremiah to go to Perath and get the belt he had hidden. So Jeremiah
went to the same rocks, dug up and took the belt from where he had hidden it.
But now, it was ruined; it was good for nothing. A belt that was worn around
the waist, preciously preserved, is now ruined and has become good for nothing.
And the words that came from God after Jeremiah witnessed the condition of the
linen belt, is such a warning! Warning against our stubbornness and evil ways.
God says to Jeremiah, "These evil poeple (poeple of Judah
and Jerusalem; the chosen ones) refuse to listen to my warnings. They
stubbornly do what they want to do, and they follow other gods to serve and
worship them. So they will become like this linen belt - good for nothing.
And, my dear friends, that's a powerful warning. Whenever you
are swaying away from God's mighty presence and trying to go with the flow of
the world in evil ways, you have to remember that God is warning you. He has
worn you so preciously around His waist and He does not want you to lose that
precious place for the sake of mere pleasures and properties of the world.
Lord says, "As a belt is wrapped tightly around a
person's waist, I wrapped the families of Israel and Judah around me. I did
that so they would be my people and bring fame, praise and honour to me. But my
poeple would not listen." Look at that regret. God has chosen us for Him
in this world, so that we would bring fame to His name, make the praises of His
name be heard and also to live a life that honours God. And for all these, God
has chosen us, and just like a linen belt He holds on to us so preciously,
preserving us in His presence. But we, sometimes begin to lose this great and
mighty presence in our lives. As we step into evil, we slowly by slowly, begin
to be tainted and become a belt that is hidden in the cracks of a rock. We
become good for nothing.
My dear friend in Christ,
I pray that you will always remember and cherish the great presence of
God and the glorious life He has given you by choosing you to be His; to be
that linen belt always to be worn around God's waist. Let not your stubbornness
and pride take you away from this glory that God has crowned you with. May you
always learn to listen to His voice.
May God bless you.
Yours in Christ,
