Jeremiah 10 and 11. Jeremiah's conversation with God in these chapters is interesting. With this weeping prophet's characteristic empathy, Jeremiah pleads with God to have mercy on the people of Israel. In 10:23-25, he appeals to the age old issue of God's sovereignty. God is the ultimate controller of man's steps, Jeremiah says. What can they do but follow the course of history that has been put in motion? He realizes the people deserve judgment and correction, but asks that God not destroy them as He will the heathen people who don't even know God.
I love God's response in chapter 11! God does not disagree with Jeremiah's premise, but he reminds him (and tells him to remind the people), that they had an agreement. God agreed to bless His chosen nation on one simple condition....that they obey His Word!
The Israelites had blatantly and intentionally broken their end of the deal. "Therefore," in 11:11-13, we read that since they had chosen to behave like the idol worshiping nations around them, they would be judged and punished as such. In verse 14, God tells Jeremiah that he should not even be praying for their deliverance!
It is certainly not a stretch to apply God's response to my own life today. It is foolish and hypocritical for me to make choices that are clearly in opposition to God's Word, and then pray that God will deliver me from the consequences. I do have a responsibility in God's sovereign plan. That responsibility is obedience. Though I may have to suffer the consequences of my sin, I can stop at any point and choose to obey. If I am a redeemed child of God, I have the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within me, enabling me to obey.
If you are struggling to break free from the path you have chosen, heed the cries of the Jeremiahs in your life who can help you turn around and walk in the right way. You don't have to continue on the path toward destruction. They want to help you.
Perhaps your struggle is not quite that intense. You and I make many choices every day. However, I must remind myself that any disobedience is rebellion against God and leads to more disobedience. As I humbly endure the consequences of my wrong choices, help me now, O Lord, to turn around and begin to obey You, trusting You with the final destination of my steps.
I love God's response in chapter 11! God does not disagree with Jeremiah's premise, but he reminds him (and tells him to remind the people), that they had an agreement. God agreed to bless His chosen nation on one simple condition....that they obey His Word!
The Israelites had blatantly and intentionally broken their end of the deal. "Therefore," in 11:11-13, we read that since they had chosen to behave like the idol worshiping nations around them, they would be judged and punished as such. In verse 14, God tells Jeremiah that he should not even be praying for their deliverance!
It is certainly not a stretch to apply God's response to my own life today. It is foolish and hypocritical for me to make choices that are clearly in opposition to God's Word, and then pray that God will deliver me from the consequences. I do have a responsibility in God's sovereign plan. That responsibility is obedience. Though I may have to suffer the consequences of my sin, I can stop at any point and choose to obey. If I am a redeemed child of God, I have the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within me, enabling me to obey.
If you are struggling to break free from the path you have chosen, heed the cries of the Jeremiahs in your life who can help you turn around and walk in the right way. You don't have to continue on the path toward destruction. They want to help you.
Perhaps your struggle is not quite that intense. You and I make many choices every day. However, I must remind myself that any disobedience is rebellion against God and leads to more disobedience. As I humbly endure the consequences of my wrong choices, help me now, O Lord, to turn around and begin to obey You, trusting You with the final destination of my steps.
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