IT IS A FATAL MISTAKE TO ASK GOD WHAT TO DO WHEN WE ALREADY DECIDED WHAT TO DO
TITLE: IT IS A FATAL MISTAKE TO ASK GOD WHAT TO DO WHEN WE ALREADY DECIDED WHAT TO DO
SCRIPTURE:
“Remnant of Judah, the Lord has told you, ‘Do not go to Egypt.’ Be sure of this: I warn you today 20 that you made a fatal mistake when you sent me to the Lord your God and said, ‘Pray to the Lord our God for us; tell us everything he says, and we will do it.’ 21 I have told you today, but you still have not obeyed the Lord your God in all he sent me to tell you. 22 So now, be sure of this: You will die by the sword, famine, and plague in the place where you want to go to settle.” (Jeremiah 42: 19—22)
OBSERVATION:
Jeremiah was called by army officers and elders from the least to the greatest of the remnant of their concerns, saying, though we were many, now only a few left. Pray that the Lord your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do.” They were willing to act in accordance with everything Lord YOUR God tells us. Whether favorable or unfavorable, we will obey the Lord our God, to whom we are sending you, so that it will go well with us, for we will obey the Lord our God.”
Ten days later, the word of the Lord came for them of His plans. If you stay in this land, I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not uproot you, for I have relented concerning the disaster I have inflicted on you. Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, whom you now fear. Do not be scared of him, declares the Lord, for I am with you and will save and deliver you from his hands. I will show you compassion so he will have compassion on you and restore you to your land.’
However, God also spells out to them if they choose their plans and the consequences of their plans. If they say they will not stay and so disobey the Lord their God, and if they say, ‘No, we will go and live in Egypt, where we will not see war or hear the trumpet or be hungry for bread,’ then hear the word of the Lord, you remnant of Judah. This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘If you are determined to go to Egypt and you do go to settle there, then the sword you fear will overtake you there, and the famine you dread will follow you into Egypt, and there you will die.
So many times, people try to bargain with God about his will for them. God was clear with his plans. He knew the remnant ALREADY MADE UP THEIR MINDS to God to Egypt. They were willing to do whatever God said, whether favorable or unfavorable; we will obey whatever the Lord said. However, they had already made up their minds. God says I will take care of what you are afraid of. I will build you up, plant you and not uproot you. Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, whom you now fear. I will show you compassion, so the king of Babylon will show you compassion.
Jeremiah warned the remnant, DO NOT GO TO EGYPT. You MADE A FATAL MISTAKE when you sent me to the Lord, yet you still disobey. So, now be sure of this: You will die by the sword, famine, and plague in the place where you want to go and settle.
So many have a pretense of asking God for direction, yet they have already decided what they want to do. A good reminder is, do not waste time asking God when all along you have already made up your mind and already decided what you want to do. God’s will does not change nor his conditions. I must learn to obey. God plans and reveals outcomes and consequences for our choices. God gave us a choice. Obedience is necessary if I want God’s plans fulfilled in my life.
APPLICATION:
I will trust God’s word and promises even if I don’t understand them. I am committed to obeying and yielding my heart to his plans.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank you for reminding me of the importance of obeying your word and plans. Please open my eyes to see the danger in pursuing what I want rather than what you plan. I look to you to guide and lead me daily. Please help me be obedient and die to my plans and desires so I may live in your will and purpose. I look to you today. Amen!
