Ultimate Domestic Violence – 36 years later

Jeremiah, say to the people, 'This is what the LORD says: "'When people fall down, don't they get up again? When they discover they're on the wrong road, don't they turn back? Then why do these people stay on their self-destructive path? Why do the people of Jerusalem refuse to turn back? They cling tightly to their lies and will not turn around. I listen to their conversations and don't hear a word of truth. Is anyone sorry for doing wrong? Does anyone say, "What a terrible thing I have done"? No! All are running down the path of sin as swiftly as a horse galloping into battle! ' " Jeremiah 8:4-6   

Meditate on these words of God to the prophet Jeremiah.

 

…why do these people stay on their self-destructive path? What a good question. Why don’t people change? Why don’t they choose to do what is good, true, right beautiful? Doesn’t their conscience bother them? Just as this scripture passage asks—why don’t they say "What a terrible thing I have done?"  They just keep on sinning—with no remorse, sorry, or regret. But this didn’t just happen. It has been going on for a life-time. Each choice someone makes takes them on the right or wrong path.

Shirley & Bob
Anne & Vicki

My sister, Shirley, married her college sweetheart, Ron, and they began what they hoped would be a life of bliss. But it wasn’t. Almost twenty years later they divorced. On December 8, 1989, Ron chose to murder Shirley, and their two daughter, Vicki and Anne, and Shirley’s new husband, Bob, and then himself. The ultimate act of domestic abuse. Death. No remorse. No regret. Just going down a self-destructive path away from God. Ron was not a believer. Shirley was. She made a wrong choice when she became “yoked” to a non-believer, unknowingly “teamed up” with a wicked partner.

Don't team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 2 Corinthians 6:14-15

Be careful with whom you associate. Teach your children and grandchildren to choose their friends, and one day possibly, their spouse, carefully. Time may be short. We never know how much time we have left here on earth—but it is important to influence others for the Lord—to share the Good News that Jesus is the Messiah, our Savior. We need to take “the light of the world” to others, but not necessarily to team up for the rest of our days with them. 

Jesus healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, helped the lame to walk, raised the dead, and fed the hungry. We should do the same. He was sinless. He did choose a couple of friends who betrayed and denied Him, but He always chose obedience to His Father, even when it took Him to the cross. That is what makes Him my Savior…our Savior.

 

Prayer – Lord, just as Joshua spoke to the Israelites…But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15. I choose to serve You, Lord. I choose to repent daily and turn from my sinful ways. I choose holiness…to serve You. 

 

Verse of Salvation ~ For God says, "At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you." Indeed, the "right time" is now. Today is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2

 

© 2025 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

Reused from August 17, 2020, Banquet With The King blog.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm. 

 

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

 

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories