Tag: obey
“Is there any Word from the Lord?” (Part 2)
Scripture reading for August 14: Jeremiah 40-45
“Then all the army officers, including Johanan son of Kareah and Jezaniah son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least to the greatest approached Jeremiah the prophet and said to him, “Please hear our petition and pray to the Lord your God for this entire remnant. For as you now see, though we were once many, now only a few are left. Pray that the Lord your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do.” Jeremiah 42:1-3
The Jews feared the wrath of Babylon because their Babylonian appointed leader, Gedaliah, had been assassinated. They were thinking about fleeing to Egypt but sought a Word from the Lord. They approached Jeremiah to pray for them to “your God”. It showed a lack of personal relationship with God.
After this group promised Jeremiah to abide faithfully by what the Lord would say, he agreed to seek the Lord. They promised to do whatever was asked that it might go well with them. (Jeremiah 42:5-6) As Jeremiah prayed over their request, ten days passed before the answer came. He called the Jews together to hear the Lord’s directions. If they would stay in the land, God would plant them and build them up. He would protect them from the King of Babylon and show them great compassion. (Jeremiah 42:10-12) However, if they did not obey and chose to go down to Egypt, what they feared would overtake them and they would surely die by the sword, famine and plague! (Jeremiah 42:13-18) Jeremiah emphasized to them, “Do not go to Egypt.” (Jeremiah 42:19)
It’s logical that a people who wanted God’s Word and promised to obey would quickly obey. However, their words were not sincere because their hearts were not right with the Lord. They had no fear of the Lord or His Word. They accused the prophet of lying. (Jeremiah 43:2-7) They proceeded to gather up everyone and head for Egypt! This is the mystery of iniquity in the heart of sinful man. Why would a people who knew God’s Word and the penalty for disobedience choose to disobey and die?
As you think about this story today, examine your own life and check out your heart. Have you sought the Lord for something you know is not God’s will? When a man or woman of God gives you truth that you disagree with do you go ahead and do your own thing? Is the Lord “your God” or does He belong to others?
The cost of being a “chosen instrument.”
Scripture reading for April 24th: 1st Samuel 11-13, Psalm 38, Acts 9
Key Scriptures: Acts 9:13-16 “But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your Name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry My Name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of My Name.”
Saul had been thrown from his horse as he went to Damascus to persecute and arrest God’s people. He was struck blind by the light of Jesus Christ, appearing to him in glory. Ananias was an obedient disciple chosen by God to go lay hands on him to receive back his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Ananias had heard about Saul and his destructive ways but went as instructed by God. Saul was God’s chosen instrument to take the Gospel to the Gentiles and kings as well as the Israelites.
Faith confession and prayer: Lord, thank You for Your “chosen instruments.” Thank You for choosing me for salvation and to suffer for Your great Name. Keep me from turning aside from Your purposes and empower me to fulfill Your plans.
1st Samuel 12:21-22 “And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the Lord will not forsake His people, for His great Name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for Himself.”
Psalm 38:15 “But for You, O Lord, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, Who will answer.”
I want more!
Scripture reading for March 13: Luke 8, Psalm 52, Proverbs 21
Key Scriptures: Luke 8:16-18 “”No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.””
Jesus told the simple story about a homeowner lighting a lamp to illustrate that He was bringing God’s truth out in the open for all who would see. The Word would judge the secrets of each heart and those who had faith would be rewarded and those who rejected faith exposed. We must be careful how we listen to the Word of God, always choosing to trust and obey!
Faith Confession: Lord, shine the light of Your Word brightly in my heart and life. Open my ears to hear Your Word and obey! I want more!
Psalm 52:9 “I will thank You forever, because You have done it. I will wait for Your Name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly.”
God’s requirements.
Scripture reading for March 6th: Deuteronomy 10-13, Luke 3
Key Scriptures: Deuteronomy 10:12-15 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding your today for your good? Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it. Yet the Lord set His heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day.”
Moses told God’s people that God had chosen them to love and serve Him. God, who made heaven and earth and owned all of it, loved them and made promises to their fathers which He would keep. In light of this, a response of love and obedience was natural, required, and proper!
Luke 3:8-9 (John the Baptist) “Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
Prayer: Father, thank You for the love You show through Jesus Christ. I respond with holy awe and offer my imperfect love and obedience. Amen.
God’s rule: obedience!
Scripture reading for January 25th: Exodus 14-16, Matthew 19
Key Scriptures: Exodus 15:25-26 “There the Lord made for them a statute and a rule, and there He tested them, saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in His eyes, and give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your Healer.””
God had delivered His people out of Egypt with a mighty hand, through signs and wonders and plagues and judgments. But His people were not thankful and grumbled against Moses and God. God laid out a rule for them: Obey Me and I will heal you of the plagues and diseases of Egypt. Obedience would bring them into God’s protection and healing grace and the smile of His face. But man in rebellion has trouble with obedience!
Matthew 19:16-17 “And behold, a man came up to Him (Jesus), saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And He said to him, “Why do you ask Me about what is good? There is only One who is Good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.”
Prayer: Lord, heal me today of a grumbling nature. Thank you for the perfect obedience of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Empower me today with the Holy Spirit of Christ to hear and obey your commands. Amen.