Jeremiah warned the people of Jerusalem for many years that they must repent or be destroyed. He often warned with direct words from God: “I am preparing a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. So turn from your evil ways” (Jeremiah 18:11). It’s hard to imagine a more direct warning.
But the people of Jerusalem ignored God’s warning and failed to repent. And once the attacks on Jerusalem began, the promised destruction would not be stopped; “I will hand all Judah over to the king of Babylon, who will carry them away to Babylon or put them to the sword” (Jeremiah 20:4).
The righteousness of God requires that sinful hearts be punished. But the mercy of God always provides a path for those who place their trust in Him. This path may contain some painful consequences, but as we continue to trust, it will always lead us closer to His side. Jerusalem would be destroyed, but God provided one final opportunity for His chosen people to live.
Jeremiah 21:8-9
“I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death. Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague. But whoever goes out and surrenders to the Babylonians who are besieging you will live; he will escape with his life.”
The people of Jerusalem felt secure in their city. They had weapons, strong walls, and a location which was hard to attack. Their worldly nature told them to remain in the safety of their “created” security, but God said the only way to survive was to trust Him and surrender.
Jesus used similar words when teaching the disciples; “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will find it” (Matthew 16:25).
Though we are trusting in the sacrifice of Jesus for our eternal forgiveness, are we living in complete surrender for our daily walk? Have we lost our life, in the sense of our control, agenda, and even our dreams, for the sake of our faith? Our flesh wants to place trust in what we can touch and feel – in what we can create and control – but Jesus says the only way to truly live is to surrender ALL into His hands. His promise is that if we release all we think we hold, we will find a life more abundant and fulfilling than any we could imagine!
We may not understand how all this works, but the truth remains and the truth will set us free! (John 8:32). God has a wonderful plan for our life – a plan which will bring fulfillment and peace – but it’s a plan which requires surrender; and often this surrender will require us to trust Him in an area filled with great uncertainty and fear. Let’s begin today to place EVERYTHING in the loving control of His hands. Let’s begin a new life as we completely surrender and live!
Have a Christ Centered Day!
Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries
**** Reading Plan ****
Jan 18 Genesis 37:1-38:30; Matthew 12:22-45; Psalm 16:1-11; Proverbs 3:27-32
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