Daily Devotional for Wednesday, November 9

Sad Results of Rebellion

We have an expression in our house that we use as a joke, we do not mean it, and in fact are being quite sarcastic. We say, “I do what I want.” It started with one of the children who would say it when they were little, not really understanding what they were saying. We do not believe that way around our house, and we only say it as a joke. Usually, it is in reference to somebody who is seen to be rebellious and out of control. 

On the other hand, Jeremiah preached to people seeming to believe just that. In fact, that is exactly what they said. The man of God spoke God’s Word, they heard him clearly and chose to ignore the Word. They did not hide that fact either, and they were quite open or honest about the rebellion they were about to engage in. “I do what I want!” 

The thinking of the people here was so twisted around that they were convinced that their idolatrous ways were what had brought them prosperity, and that poverty only came when they failed to engage in those ways. They thumbed their noses in God’s face, and instead turned to the “queen of heaven” (Verses 17-19, 25), their chosen idol. Sin had gone from being ignored, to accepted, to celebrated and finally to believers jumping in and gleefully going along. 

Nothing ever really changes. That is us today. Sinful lifestyles gained ground when Christians stood by and ignored them. Now society accepts these things, as do many Christians. Worse, many who profess faith celebrate and even participate in them. We can look back in history and see how badly this ended for the Israelites. What makes us think it will end better for us?

JUST A THOUGHT: Not many of us have the gumption to just tell God no, but simply ignoring His direction is just as bad and has the same result.

Wally Fry