- As for the word that you have spoken to us in the name of the Lord, we will not listen to you. Jeremiah 44:16 – If nothing else, we have to give it to the people of Judah for their honesty. There wasn’t any façade put on here, no pretending to be a follower of God anymore. They understood what Jeremiah was speaking to them were the words of the Lord, but they were choosing not to listen. They believed they had received far more blessing in their life when they worshipped idols than when they worshipped the Lord. In their opinion life was better and more plentiful when they served idols, and they were allowed to freely take part in the things they weren’t allowed to do under God’s rule. When Jeremiah then told them to turn to follow the Lord, their response was a flat no. The idols gave them more than God did, so why turn? Oh how deceived these people were. This is one of the enemy’s favorite plays, to cause us to believe we are finding more away from God than with God. It is true, away from the Lord we’ll be able to find more allowances to do all the things our fleshly desires want to do. Sin isn’t held back from us when we aren’t following the Lord, and it can appear that we are finding so much more in this life down that path. Yet those who’ve walked after sin long enough know what is found along that path is not freedom, plenty, and joy, but slavery, lack, and death. Know the deception that the people of Judah fell into is a deception the enemy is seeking to lead you into. His aim is to convince you that you will find more following him than following Jesus. Hear the truth and read the truth from scripture, only following the Lord will provide you with the life you truly desire. While the enemy offers momentary pleasure, Jesus offers eternal joy. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3274
- But we will do everything that we have vowed, make offerings to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her, as we did, both we and our fathers, our kings and our officials, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. For then we had plenty of food, and prospered, and saw no disaster. But since we left off making offerings to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have been consumed by the sword and by famine. Jeremiah 44:17-18 – How would you respond to that? They said that worshiping the other gods actually provided more for them than following God. I too was wondering how if I were in Jeremiah’s place or in a more today sort of example of that how’d I respond. I thought of fools gold. It’s shiny and looks like it’s worth a lot, but it’s actually not worth much at all. Such is whatever your sin gives you, it’s fools gold. It appears to be giving you so much, but when you need something real and you try to cash it in, you’ll find it’s worthless to help you. God wants you to see the truth. Whatever sin gives is fools gold and what God gives is the purest of gold. Both are freely available to you, you just have to decide who will be in charge of your life. God or sin. No, not you, sin. When you follow sin’s path, it is your new master. Don’t be that foolish, follow the Heavenly Father who loves you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 963
- “It is because you made offerings and because you sinned against the Lord and did not obey the voice of the Lord or walk in his law and in his statutes and in his testimonies that this disaster has happened to you, as at this day.” Jeremiah 44:23 – Jeremiah is in a tough spot. The people of Judah have seen with their own eyes the work of God on their past sinfulness. They saw the destruction of their homes and cities, yet they have come to the conclusion it wasn’t because of their sinfulness but because they paused in their worship of false gods and the false gods were punishing them. The were deceived and the food in their hand and safety they were having in the moment had convinced them that God is not God. How do you remain faithful to the call to share God’s word when the people you are sharing to are so heavily deceived? Ground yourself in the truth that what you have to share is not only right but is the life-saving message they need. Yes, they are deceived by sin, but so were we at one time. Yes they don’t want anything to do with this message, but more than likely we were there once as well. Like us, they need the message of Jesus’ forgiveness and love. So keep sharing the gospel even when it’s shoved away harshly by those you’re sharing it to. Share of course with gentleness and respect, but don’t ever stop sharing. Their lives are worth it…Jesus sure believes so. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2176
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