God Speaks
Gedaliah Assassinated; the People with Him Inquired of the LORD, Then Disobeyed Him
Verse of the Day: [Jeremiah told the people of Judah who were fleeing to Egypt, [“Remnant of Judah, the LORD has told you, ‘Do not go to Egypt.’ Be sure of this: I warn you today that you made a fatal mistake when you sent me to the LORD your God and said ‘Pray to the LORD our God for us; tell us everything He says and we will do it.’ I have told you today, but you still have not obeyed the LORD your God in all He sent me to tell you. So now, be sure of this: You will die by the sword, famine and plague in the place where you want to go to settle.” (Jeremiah 42:19-22 NIV 2011) [Instead of the peace and safety they sought, they would experience death in various forms–all for not trusting and obeying the LORD.]
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Watch TBR Day 233
We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Jeremiah 41-45:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
Jeremiah 41
1. God sees the deceptive evil motives and actions of people like Ishmael son of Nethaniah and will avenge them at His appointed time.
2. Fear of suffering may lead people to take foolish actions like going to Egypt instead of going to Babylon as God directed.
Jeremiah 42
1. God has ultimate rewards for those who follow His instructions (even if they seem to go against human reason), but dire consequences for those who insist on following their own “instincts.”
2. Often people want God to tell them what to do, but their actions show that they have no intention of doing what He says.
Jeremiah 43
1. When necessary, Father God will use ungodly people like Nebuchadnezzar to discipline His disobedient children.
2. People who refuse to obey the voice of the LORD cannot distinguish between who is lying and who is telling the truth.
Jeremiah 44
1. God watches over His people and deals with them (for good or bad) according to how they carry out His commands.
2. Apart from God, people will do what is convenient, self-serving, and self-protective. God will strongly oppose such behavior.
Jeremiah 45
1. God corrects even His faithful servants when they are overwhelmed and discouraged but rewards them with life now and forever.
2. People who are carrying out God’s assignments for them can be worn down by the opposition they experience.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Jeremiah 41-45?
Dearest all-seeing, all-knowing, all-powerful, and loving God and Heavenly Father, You see the deceptive evil motives and actions of people in Jeremiah’s day and ours and will avenge them at Your appointed time. Fear of suffering has and is leading people in my nation to take foolish actions instead of doing as You direct. Sometimes, doing what You say in the Bible or by Your Spirit in our inner being goes against human reason. But You promise ultimate rewards for those who follow Your instructions regardless of the difficulty. We face dire (even eternal) consequences if we insist on following our own “instincts.” I admit that I often want You, God, to tell me what to do, but my actions show that I have no intention of doing what You say because I think that I know best. When necessary, Father God, You do use ungodly people or untoward circumstances to discipline Your disobedient children, but even that is meant to strengthen us and our trust in You. At times I cannot distinguish between who is lying and who is telling the truth. Could it be because I am refusing to obey Your voice, LORD? You watch over Your people and deal with us (for good or bad) according to how we carry out Your commands. Apart from You, LORD God, people will do what is convenient, self-serving, and self-protective. You strongly oppose such behavior. You want us to depend on You, to do what is right in Your eyes, to serve You, and to protect other people, especially the most vulnerable in society. Please correct me when my attitudes or actions are wrong. I want to be Your faithful servant, but sometimes I get overwhelmed and discouraged. I trust that You will reward my faith in Christ with life now and forever. I ask You to bless people who are faithfully carrying out Your assignments for them. We can be worn down by the opposition we experience. Holy Spirit, enable us all to bring glory to the LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Jeremiah 41-45? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will pray and ask the Holy Spirit to give me the courage to stand up for something I know is right according to God and His word or against something that is against Him and His ways. Then I will do so and praise God for whatever happens.
- I will examine myself by asking, “Will I do what God says or will I do what I think or feel is right for me?”
- I will ask God to show me who is telling the truth or lying in a particular situation. Then I will take appropriate action as He directs.
- I will look for ways to encourage God-honoring people who are being overwhelmed by opposition (ex. a missionary, pastor, or public figure I know).
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.