Obey God & Be Happy!

Scripture

Jeremiah 42:1-7, 43:1-2

1 Then all the commanders of the forces, Johanan the son of Kareah, Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people both small and great approached 2 and said to Jeremiah the prophet, “Please let our petition come before you, and pray for us to the LORD your God, that is for all this remnant; because we are left but a few out of many, as your own eyes now see us, 3 that the LORD your God may tell us the way in which we should walk and the thing that we should do.” 4 Then Jeremiah the prophet said to them, “I have heard you. Behold, I am going to pray to the LORD your God in accordance with your words; and I will tell you the whole message which the LORD will answer you. I will not keep back a word from you.” 5 Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act in accordance with the whole message with which the LORD your God will send you to us. 6 “Whether it is pleasant or unpleasant, we will listen to the voice of the LORD our God to whom we are sending you, so that it may go well with us when we listen to the voice of the LORD our God.” 7 Now at the end of ten days the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah.  43:1  But as soon as Jeremiah, whom the LORD their God had sent, had finished telling all the people all the words of the LORD their God--that is, all these words—2 Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, “You are telling a lie! The LORD our God has not sent you to say, ‘You are not to enter Egypt to reside there.’

Observation

The commanders asked Jeremiah for a ‘word’ from the Lord.  They said they would listen and obey to whatever God said to Jeremiah.  They preferred, however, to do what they had already made up their minds to do - and even called Jeremiah a liar when he told them what God said.  They were set on going to Egypt.  They decided for themselves what the word of the Lord was for them.  They were seeking God’s approval and affirmation but wanted their way, not God’s.  They would not listen to Jeremiah.  They asked for counsel, but never intended to follow it if it was contrary to what they wanted.  They were determined!  Ten days later, the word came.  Why the delay?  Perhaps to give them time to decide that they really would obey God or go their own way.  God gives us free will to decide – to choose to obey Him or not.

Application

Choose to obey God always. Wait for God and His timing.  Allow God to sort out in my heart what my motives are and what might be best for me. His way leads to life and blessing,  I will obey God and be happy.

Prayer

I see stubbornness and pride getting in the way of obedience.  Lord I pray that You deal with areas of my heart that should not have any reign or hold on me in regards to doing what You want me to do.  May my heart completely yield to Your will, Your way, always.  In Jesus Name, A-men.