August 29 - Jeremiah 42:1-44:30 | Ezekiel 33:21-33

Good morning everyone,

We begin today with the remaining Jews approaching Jeremiah and saying “ We know we were wrong, we should have listened to what God said through you, please seek His will for us now, we promise to do as he says whether we like it or not.” (paraphrasing) We are told in 42:7 that, “Ten days later the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah.” Now, I like that because even Jeremiah, a prophet who I see as having an open line to God, didn’t always get his answers immediately. Right? Sometime God says “Yes” sometimes “No” and sometimes “Wait.” We should be encouraged by this to be more patient in waiting on the Lord to answer our payers instead of giving up and taking the matter back into our own hands. Make sense?

So, after those ten days when God did speak to Jeremiah, His message was to stay in the land, they would be safe there, that if they stayed in the land, He would build them up and not tear them down; and He said, “I will show you compassion so that he will have compassion on you and restore you to your land.” Oh my word, if that’s me I am thinking “Yes!! Yes!! Yes!!” and I am getting my white picket fence put up, planting gardens, establishing a home for myself, life would be good, however ….. however we read, “all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, “You are lying! The Lord our God has not sent you to say, ‘You must not go to Egypt to settle there.” You have got to be kidding me!! Even though they had asked Jeremiah to seek the Lord and had promised to do whatever, let me repeat that “whatever” the Lord said to do, they are now saying, “Yeah, no. We don’t like that option, we think you’re lying so we’re going to Egypt anyway.” (again, paraphrasing) Crazy fools, I say.

Even though Jeremiah’s entire ministry had been one of being ignored by the people he had to have been just shaking his head at this. I rather imagine it is like that for so many of our pastors and preachers, today; anyone who will boldly stand up and teach the truth of God’s Word. Week after week they teach the Word but so many of those listening are not hearing it much less obeying it. It’s like when they get to church they, (okay, use your mind’s eye here ) open the door to a box and step inside from “world” where everything is fast, swirling, often confusing and one huge contradiction to God, into that  box called “church” where the walls are lined with love, acceptance and joy, very opposite of the world they just stepped from. In this pleasantly nice atmosphere they hear the truth of what God has planned for them. Some will nod their heads in agreement, be encouraged. Some will be convicted and vow to do better. Some will have never known God and accept Him into their hearts, but then, (are you seeing this?) church is over and they walk right back out that door, leaving the truth of God’s Word behind, neatly folded on a shelf ready to pick up the next time they can get there, while entering into the whirlwind of a world where everything is status quo.

Friends, and for the most part I know I am speaking to the choir when I say, we have got to be doing more than just attending church once a week and reading our Bibles for thirty minutes a morning. We have got to be doing what God instructs us to do. We have got to be not just listening to our pastors but “hearing” them. Big difference! Right? 

Job 13:17 says, “Listen carefully to my words. Hear my declaration.” God is speaking to us through our devotions, pastors and Bible readings. Don’t be like those foolish remnant Jews, who blew off God’s will for their own. Look for what God has to say to you and then …. then choose to obey, for there’s no other way. Amen?

Have a great day and to God be the glory!

God bless you all…