August 29
Jeremiah 42:1-44:30; Ezekiel 33:21-33
Affirmation or revelation, what is it that you truly seek? This is a question we must always ask whenever we approach God. We should be honest as to our motives. Have we, headstrong, arrived at a decision, whatever it is, then as a final move, seek God to rubber stamp our pre-arranged plans? Or, do we face a situation, then approach God first for true guidance. If we are all honest, we probably do a little of both. But if we are to experience the power of God in our lives, and if we are to be vessels moving forward according to His will, then we would be wise to start every day, every choice, every decision, etc. in Him first. In prayer, in His word, in worship, in fellowship, etc. Most importantly in dialogue with Him, not in a monologue with ourselves.
It all sounded so sincere, as we read Jeremiah 42:1-4, “ Then all the military leaders, including Johanan son of Kareah and Jezaniah son of Hoshaiah, and all the people, from the least to the greatest, approached Jeremiah the prophet. They said, “Please pray to the Lordyour God for us. As you can see, we are only a tiny remnant compared to what we were before. Pray that the Lord your God will show us what to do and where to go.” “All right,” Jeremiah replied. “I will pray to the Lord your God, as you have asked, and I will tell you everything he says. I will hide nothing from you.” Their request sounded great until the response was not what they wanted, as we read in 43:1-4, “ When Jeremiah had finished giving this message from the Lord their God to all the people, Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the other proud men said to Jeremiah, “You lie! The Lord our God hasn’t forbidden us to go to Egypt! Baruch son of Neriah has convinced you to say this, because he wants us to stay here and be killed by the Babylonians or be carried off into exile.” So Johanan and the other military leaders and all the people refused to obey the Lord’s command to stay in Judah.” The same held true for Ezekiel, as we read in Ezekiel 33:30-31, “ “Son of man, your people talk about you in their houses and whisper about you at the doors. They say to each other, ‘Come on, let’s go hear the prophet tell us what the Lord is saying!’ So my people come pretending to be sincere and sit before you. They listen to your words, but they have no intention of doing what you say. Their mouths are full of lustful words, and their hearts seek only after money.”
So, before we roll our eyes, read with disbelief at the rebellion, stubbornness, and blindness of those hearing from Jeremiah and Ezekiel, perhaps we should reflect instead. Whether we approach God, or for that matter, another individual for advice, are we seeking affirmation or revelation? They were seeking affirmation and it cost them their lives, their children’s lives, and their nation. What will it cost us as we continue to move forward in our own strength, filled with our own sense of right and wrong? May we all humble ourselves before Almighty God and seek Him, and accept His counsel, even if it is not what we want, before it’s too late.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: