Word of the Week

10/3/09

“But if you refuse to obey the Lord your God and say, ‘We will not stay here,’ or if you insist on going to live in Egypt where you think you will be free from war, famine, and alarms, then this is what the Lord says… :‘If you insist on going to Egypt, the war and famine you fear will follow close behind you, and you will die there. That is the fate awaiting everyone of you… None of you will escape from the disaster I will bring upon you there.’ Jeremiah 42:13-17 (NLT)

The Israelites had all the advantages and blessings of being God’s chosen people. Yet repeatedly throughout their history they refused to obey God. God is very clear about the requirements of obedience (staying true to live lives that honored God, not embracing the practices of the world around them, worshiping only God) and the consequences of disobedience (separation from God, war and famine within and without, being overcome by one’s fears, and death). No one can escape this destiny.

Christians often want the blessings of God without the obedience to God. We are called to come out of our sin-centered lives and to place God in the center of our new lives. Yet some look at the world around us and want to think and do as today’s culture does. God says we cannot. If we insist on going to live in “Egypt”, disaster and ultimately death will be our fate. There is not genuine freedom, pleasure, happiness, peace, or plenty to be found by embracing sin. What appears to produce these things will ultimately leave us empty, in turmoil, and spiritually hungry for what only God can satisfy. We cannot live with one foot in heaven and one foot in sin. God does not accept a divided heart. If we remain disobedient, we have a guarantee of death apart from God.

PRAYER: O Lord God, Help me to be truly obedient to You in all my ways. I desire to live a life that honors You and only You. Help me to turn completely away from the temptations of this world and its sinful ways. I want an undivided heart that worships and obeys You and only You.