Obey God | Be Still...

Jeremiah 43:1-13 – Choosing the Dud!

looking down on feet on the street with arrows going straight or turning left or right

Do you remember the show, “Let’s Make a Deal”? The premise was that there were always a few good deals but many more duds. People had to make choices without having any idea which was which. The people hearing Jeremiah’s words had a choice before them: stay put with God’s blessing or leave for Egypt and face doom. They knew which was the “dud” but chose it anyway.

The people wanted to do their own thing so much they made the bad assumption Jeremiah was lying about what God said. Anybody who knows Jeremiah’s character would also know he would never give false testimony. I’m sure there were plenty of times when Jeremiah would rather have delivered an entirely different message. God knew from the beginning Jeremiah would be a reliable one to speak for him.

1 Timothy 6:11-16 – Take Action!

Read 1 Timothy 6:11-16

Paul’s first letter to Timothy has cautioned his young friend about relationships and leadership roles as well as certain things to be careful of in starting a new church. Now Paul encourages action. Our faith needs to move! I love how Paul recognizes Timothy as a man of God. Isn’t that how we’d like to be seen by our mentors and friends?

It would be easy to sit back and reap the benefits of having a relationship with Jesus. But we are called to move as well. Jesus gave us our marching papers when he told us to make disciples!

Jeremiah 22:1-9 – Rubble or Not?

Read Jeremiah 22:1-9

remnant of a building wall with weeds growing around it

The king of Judah didn’t follow God’s advice, did he? If he did, Jerusalem would look a lot different today based on God’s promise here. “If you obey me, there will always be a descendant of David sitting on the throne here in Jerusalem.” The “here in Jerusalem” is what sets this apart from God’s promise to King David all those years ago.

For 300+ years, the people believed the royal house of David was their “special protection.” In 2 Samuel 7:16, God promises David, “Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.” Jesus sits on this throne now as the one who fulfills this promise. Remember the angel’s words to Mary about her son, Jesus, in Luke 2:31-33. “He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

Jeremiah 11:1-17 – Remember the Covenant

Read Jeremiah 11:1-17

How brilliant! God uses Jeremiah remind the people to remember the covenant. It is clear from their behavior that they have not given much thought to this covenant in some time. Maybe ever! The people have no excuse, the answers to life found in the covenant aren’t hidden from them.

“Cursed is anyone who does not obey the terms of my covenant!” Do they even fear or tremble at the curse? Does being obedient to God “show up on their radar” as something they aspire to be better at doing? If so, then they still have a chance to be saved from doom.

2 Kings 9:14-29 – Bloody Obedience

Read 2 Kings 9:14-29

quote: there will be no peace in any soul until it is willing to obey the voice of God (by D.L. Moody)

Sometimes it’s hard to read about how God’s plans involve so much bloodshed. It appears Israel’s new king, Jehu, isn’t afraid to take a life or order it be done. It’s as if his obedience to God’s call on his life is the focus, and he will do whatever it takes to help God’s plan be fulfilled.

Sadly, the king of Judah got in the way here as a nearly innocent bystander. Guilty by association I suppose. We have also heard that he was related to Ahab by marriage, so his death makes total sense if Jehu is cleaning house as God had proclaimed.