Has America become a nation who has forgotten how to blush?
In the beginning of the book of Jeremiah, God repeatedly chastises the nation of Judah, warning about their flagrant sins and abominations. Their apathy toward obeying God’s commands. Their calloused hearts (Jeremiah 2-6).
Judah no longer felt ashamed of their sin. Didn’t even attempt to hide it. Much less ask God’s forgiveness.
Indeed, they had become a nation who had forgotten how to blush (Jeremiah 6:15).
Shame emerged as one of the first negative emotions felt by Adam and Even in the Garden of Eden. Shame was born from the Fall in Genesis 3. Adam and Eve attempted to use fig leaves to cover their sin. They weren’t willing to admit it. Already, they had forgotten how to blush.
We’re all still wearing fig leaves today, aren’t we?
Feeling ashamed of our sins can be healthy - as long as it leads us to the cross, where Jesus took all of our shame and guilt upon himself. “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
May we as a nation repent of our sin. Go before our loving Father and receive his grace anew. His mercies never end.
And never be a nation that has forgotten how to blush.