Thursday, August 18
Faithfully obey
Scripture: Jeremiah 35-36, Psalm 96, Revelation 21
Jeremiah 35:13–15 “This is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says: Go, say to the men of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem, ‘Will you not accept discipline by listening to my words?—this is the Lord’s declaration. 14 The words of Jonadab, son of Rechab, have been carried out. He commanded his descendants not to drink wine, and they have not drunk to this day because they have obeyed their ancestor’s command. But I have spoken to you time and time again, and you have not obeyed me! 15 Time and time again I have sent you all my servants the prophets, proclaiming, “Turn, each one from his evil way, and correct your actions. Stop following other gods to serve them. Live in the land that I gave you and your ancestors.” But you did not pay attention or obey me.
Jeremiah 36:23 As soon as Jehudi would read three or four columns, Jehoiakim would cut the scroll with a scribe’s knife and throw the columns into the fire in the hearth until the entire scroll was consumed by the fire in the hearth.
Observation
What a contrast between Jeremiah 35 and 36!
In the first, the Rechabites are commended for faithfully obeying the commands of their ancestor Jonadab for generations. Their obedience was contrasted with Judah’s refusal to pay attention and obey God. “Time and again” God sent his message through the prophets. “But you did not pay attention or obey me.”
In Jeremiah 36, King Jehoiakim responds to Jeremiah’s prophetic words by burning the scroll in his fireplace. The Rechabites obeyed family rules far more faithfully than Judah’s king obeyed God’s word. He not only refused to obey, but even listen. His response was to destroy the scroll; not just ignore God’s word but burn it up!
The Rechabites’ faithful obedience stands in stark contrast to Judah’s and Jehoiakim’s refusal to listen and obey!
Application
Pretty obvious. Listen to God’s word, value it and faithfully obey. Do what He says. Do what He wants.
I thought of Pastor Paul Younghi Cho giving the secret of his success. “I pray and I obey.” That simple. Listen and do what He says.
We pray, “May your kingdom come, your will be done.” That starts with us. “God reign in my life. Help me to do what You want. May your will be done—in me and by me.”
Today, I want to listen to God’s word—in Scripture and in the Spirit’s leading—and do what He says.
Prayer: “God reign in my life. Help me to do what You want. May your will be done—in me and by me.” Help me to faithfully obey—a long obedience in the same direction.