Mixed message

I'm hesitant to go where my mind took today's reading, but I guess I can. It's something that I don't want to look back on later and feel I've said some un-Spirit-filled things. So Spirit, fill these words.

In Jeremiah, the remnant approach Jeremiah asking him to inquire to the Lord on their behalf. They say they will do anything the Lord tells them, good or bad. They are sufficiently desperate.

So 10 days later (I think there's a lesson there), Jeremiah is able to come back with an answer. His answer is that they should not leave, even though there is no food or anything. If they go to Egypt because it would be an easier life, then the Lord will still punish them.

So what do the people do? Accuse Jeremiah of conspiring with the enemy and go to Egypt anyway. Silly Israelites...

The lesson here I feel is simple. Often, we come before God saying, I'll do anything. If you call me to a difficult life I'll do it! When really in our minds, we have a plan of what we think or want God to say. If He doesn't answer the way we planned, we get offended and tend to do our own thing anyway. I've been there.

I've been on both sides. Last Spring when I was deciding where to go for my future, I had all but convinced myself to leave my job because it was the leap of faith God was calling me to. Thankfully, I sought the Lord enough times that I didn't leave. I do believe He is still doing things where I am. However, it could have been easy to go the other route. It's difficult not to let our own fears and emotions guide our decisions. It's difficult to trust a God who doesn't always speak loudly. It's difficult to hear God among all the chaos in our hearts. At the end of the day, if we don't listen, we end up in Egypt sacrificing to the queen of heaven. Just saying...

Lord, please guide me in Your will. Let Your voice be a sweet sound to me. Let me focus on that sound. Let my heart long for Your presence. Fill me with Your mercy, joy and strength today. Have mercy on this sinner. Give me grace to do Your will.

Amen. Amen. Amen.