For I heard a cry as of a woman in labor, anguish as of one giving birth to her first child, the cry of the daughter of Zion gasping for breath, stretching out her hands, “Woe is me! I am fainting before murderers.” Jeremiah 4:31 – In this chapter the Lord is outlining the severity of the destruction to come upon Israel as a consequence to their sin. The Lord would bring invaders from the north that would utterly destroy their cities and lives. What we see in the later parts of the chapter is Israel’s plan. She would seek to seduce her enemy. The image given is a woman, knowing an attacker is coming her way, deciding to dress in her best, putting on her jewelry, and getting her make up on. When the attacker came to her door, she’d get out of the pain because she’d seduce him. Yet the actual end of this escapade is seen in our verse. She wouldn’t be feeling the embrace of a new lover, she’d experience the pain of dying at the hands of her murderer. What’s the message then the Lord wanted Israel to hear? Trying to get out of God’s punishment on their terms wasn’t going to work. The only way to find escape from the coming destruction was to listen to the Lord and turn to Him. Our story is much the same. We have a world seeking to “seduce” their enemy, hoping to get out of the consequences of death on their own terms. Yet that path will only lead to pain, when God’s offer of life is available by simply turning to Him. It seems like there are many paths to getting out of the wages of our sin, but there is only one way and that way is Jesus. If you haven’t made that choice yet to follow Jesus and you have questions, reach out. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3233
Question To Ponder: Why might someone try to handle the consequence of their sin their own way instead of turning to God?
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