We have all laughed at that Verizon advertisement on TV and watched it until it really became a by-line for all of us. But this is exactly what I thought of when I read these verses from Jeremiah today.
How many times have you been in a situation where you really wanted some advice - someone to listen to what you were asking and to tell you the truth? But when the advice came, and from a source you respected, you decided not to listen and to do it your own way. Well, here we have this same scenario in today's readings.
A remnant of Judah found themselves in fear and were desperate for some direction. So, they asked the prophet Jeremiah to petition the Lord for direction and tell them what they should do.
Then they said to Jeremiah, "May the Lord be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act in accordance with everything the LORD your God sends you to tell us. Whether it is favorable or unfavorable, we will obey the LORD your God, to whom we are sending you, so that it will go well with us, for we will obey the LORD our God" Jeremiah 42:5-6 (NIV)
They promised to listen to what Jeremiah said and obey - yet when his answer came ten days later, they refused to accept it because it was not what they wanted to hear or do. They rejected the word of the Lord and plugged their ears.
Perhaps in your youth it was the "crowd" you were running with - you knew they were not a good influence, and your parents tried to tell you. Perhaps it was a financial decision you needed to make and you asked someone you truly admired to give you some sound advice, but then you decided not to listen and made the purchase anyway. Perhaps it was the "love of your life" but deep down inside you knew there was something just not right - but you married them anyway because you could "change" them, and now are reaping the heartache and disappointments.
What a great lesson for us today. As we look for answers and direction in our daily lives, let us not have our minds already made up. As we read earlier this week, God has a plan for us - a plan to prosper us and not to harm us. Let us be sure we are not asking for God's insight in an area or a decision that we want and then ignore what He tells us. This means we must read the scriptures and let them speak to our hearts. Listen for that still small voice. Ask the godly people around you for insight and wisdom. God loves His children and He has our best interest in mind.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.
I will guide you with My eye." Psalm 32:8
What a great post, and I LOVED the picture! I certainly need to be reminded to listen sometimes. We all do. When I do listen things go well and I'm so thankful. When I don't, I always regret it.
ReplyDeleteThis is so true Mrs. Barbara! The hard part is listening in this busy world. May we tune out the "noise" today and listen to what God has to say to us.
ReplyDeleteI have said many times that when people ask you for advice chances are they are not going to take that advice but do what they want to do anyway. How do I know this? because I do it myself. When we ask God what we should do and then don't do it we are opening up ourselves for problems. I have done this and then wonder won't I ever learn.
ReplyDeleteI have a question and if anyone knows the answer, I sure would appreciate in hearing it. In these verses the King of Babylon is referred to as Nebuchadrezar and also Nebuchadnezar. Is this a misprint and they are the same person or was there two kings with similar names?
LOVE your post Mrs. Barbara AND that adorable picture! I have been guilty of not listening to sound,Godly advice in the past because it was not what I wanted to hear. BIG MISTAKE!!! A great lesson to learn and the insights you had to go with it were wonderful!
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