Thursday, August 25, 2011

SOAP 08/25/2011; Jeremiah 37:10

Today's reading: Jeremiah 37, 38, 39; Psalm 79; 2 John

S)"10 'For even if you had defeated the entire army of Chaldeans who were fighting against you, and there were only wounded men left among them, each man in his tent, they would rise up and burn this city with fire.'"
Jeremiah 37:10 (NASB)

O) The word of the LORD cannot be stopped! God is making it very clear in this passage that there is nothing that King Zedekiah can do to fight against the word that God has proclaimed. His only options are to submit or die. Even if he decides to fight on his own, he will die. Even if he has, what would be a resounding victory in every other war, he will still die and Jerusalem will still be burned. The word of the LORD cannot be stopped, and we cannot fight on our own for our freedom.

A) There are many lessons to learn from King Zedekiah's last days. Jeremiah told him again and again that his only hope was in submission to the Chaldeans, but ultimately he would not submit to God's will, because of his own pride and fear of man. In the end, he couldn't afford his own stupidity. Neither can I. Sometimes God will ask me to do things that don't seem logical. My instinct will be to fight for it. It might even look like I can win the fight. I might actually be able to win the fight. But, if I go against the Word of the LORD, I will lose the battle.

P) Father, humble me now, LORD, when the stakes are lower. I need to practice submission to Your will so that when the stakes are higher, I won't choose stupid arrogance or prideful fear. Holy Spirit, continue to speak to me the word of the LORD so that I am well accustomed to hearing the Truth. God, help me stay in prayer, asking for direction, even when it seems like I know the path to victory; let me pray, even when I have the victory in hand. Show me the bigger picture. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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