Bible Chapter: Jeremiah 43 & 44

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
In the last chapter we read that the people promised to fully obey God, no matter what He said through the prophet.  But, they only pretended that they would obey God. They didn’t believe that their nonstop dishonesty would bring extreme consequences.  So, we see that the people refused to obey the voice of the Lord and went to Egypt.
Again and again God sent prophets to plead with the nation.  But they continued to do the horrible things that God hates.  The people wouldn’t listen or turn from their wicked ways.  This brought God’s judgement on them.  They sinned by neglecting to listen to God and take what He said seriously.
They had forgotten the sins of their ancestors and showed no remorse or reverence for God.  They neglected God’s Word.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
Some very sad words are:  We will not listen to your messages from the LORD!  We will do whatever we want.  That is a recipe for disaster that still goes on today. I see people, in the name of Jesus, do despicable things without fear of judgement.  They are in for a sorry awakening some day when they stand before God as their Judge.
The people also said that when they were sacrificing to idols that they were well off and didn’t have troubles.  It was when they stopped that they had problems.  That is a deception of Satan.
I must remember these lessons and not get trapped in deception that causes people to walk away from life with the Lord.

3.  How can I help someone?
Learn to recognize spiritual deception.  Recognize that God is righteous and His way is the best way. Anything else is only temporary and there is a high price to pay for going against God’s way.