Jeremiah 13:1

Jeremiah 13:11 (ESV):  “For as the loincloth clings to the waist of a man, so I made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to me, declares the Lord, that they might be for me a people, a name, a praise, and a glory, but they would not listen.”

The Lord is not meant to be an adjunct to your life; He is to be your life. We don’t simply add a little Jesus to our lives—we center our entire lives around Him. We are the loincloth, and our lives are to be wrapped around Him.

God told Jeremiah to go and buy a loincloth. This type of sash was a sign of dignity and nobility, worn by priests and the wealthy. The Lord then instructed Jeremiah to bury it near the Euphrates River. After some time, Jeremiah was told to dig it up, and when he did, it was “spoiled” and “good for nothing.”

Israel was meant to be God’s loincloth, but their pride spoiled them. They were supposed to be a spiritual light to the nations, but instead, they became useless—because they refused to listen to the Lord.

What kind of loincloth are you? Are you one that has been spoiled by pride and selfishness? Or have you learned that your role is to be a light for the Lord?

You can’t shine if God is not at the center of your life. He must be your all in all. Remember, it’s Him you are to surround yourself with—not the other way around. Stay in position, and you will remain useful to God. Amen?

Father, we thank You for reminding us of our role. It’s so easy to make life about ourselves. Help us to stay the course and become all that You have designed us to be—for Your glory. We pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.