Jeremiah 5:1 “Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, look and take note! Search her squares to see if you can find a man, one who does justice and seeks truth, that I may pardon her.”

We remember when Abraham asked God to spare the cities of Sodom and Gomora if five righteous people could be found. That sounded just awful didn’t it. Large cities and not five people who were righteous. Here God is asking for just one. Just one honest and just person. And what about the Greek cynic, Diogenes who reportedly walked around Athens in the daytime with a lantern in search of a (honest) man? Even the philosophers saw a world in which justice and truth were a rarity.

How bad had things gotten in Judah? Really bad. Idolatry brought with it all manner of evil and most of all a selfishness that denied truth in interpersonal interaction. Such a situation demanded justice from God and Jeremiah is a book of prophecy against the Godless nation of Judah who were supposed to be the children of God. One thing we know for sure, calling yourself a child of God and living among the children of God will not save you.

What about the world we live in? Is there a man of justice and truth? If God came through our streets today would He find anyone who does justice and seeks truth? What if He started on my street or yours?

Task for Today: Be the man (or woman)! Be brave enough to raise your hand and say, “Here I am, send me” or “Speak Lord, your servant hears.” Order your life to make God’s search short.