Although our sins testify against us, do something, Lord, for the sake of Your name (Jeremiah 14:7, NIV).

We are made aware of three things in this verse —first, our sins. Second, a plea. And finally, a reason. Jeremiah is aware of the human predicament. We have sinned against God. God declared early on that sin leads to eternal death. We are in a big mess since we have all sinned against God! After stating the problem, Jeremiah pleas with God to do something. He knows there is nothing we can do to solve our sin problem. He realizes that if our situation is to be resolved, God must act. God must figure out a way to be true to His word, which means He must punish sin and find a way to redeem lost humanity. Did Jeremiah know what God planned to do? Later in his prophecy, he wrote of a New Covenant that was coming.

But why should God have to solve a problem we created? Jeremiah says, “for your name’s sake.” If God cannot solve this dilemma, His reputation will suffer. If God is confronted with a problem He cannot solve, is He really God? God did save His reputation and indeed magnified it under the New Covenant. He became incarnate in the person of His Son. Jesus solved the sin problem by taking the punishment we deserve. He solved the salvation problem by offering freely to forgive those who trust in Him. We are so familiar with this story we don’ realize how amazing it is that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19). Jeremiah pleaded, “Do something, Lord.” And God did something.

Father in heaven, I remain amazed by Your love. You could have justly condemned me to hell, but You sent Your Son to redeem me. You did something truly amazing to bring sinners into Your Kingdom without sacrificing Your Justice or Your mercy. Justice and mercy met at the cross. Thank You, Jesus, for all You endured to be my Savior. Amen.