S) "8 You shall also say to this people, 'Thus says the Lord, "Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. 9 He who dwells in this city will die by the sword and by famine and by pestilence; but he who goes out and falls away to the Chaldeans who are besieging you will live, and he will have his own life as booty."'"
Jeremiah 21:8-9 (NASB)
O) At this time, Jerusalem is under full siege. King Zedekiah had sent a delegation to Jeremiah, to inquire of the LORD, to see if He would deliver them from Nebuchadnezzar (vv.1-2). Instead, the LORD has a message of destruction for Zedekiah, that is severe and almost complete (vv.3-7). Then, we get to these verses, and we see a sort of shift in tone from God. This passage is not an instruction of logistics, or an exit strategy, or damage control. This passage is about God's compassion and lovingkindness, where He again offers an escape. God tries again, pleading through His prophet Jeremiah, to get the attention of the people, so they will humble themselves and return to Him, and be saved.
A) Preconceived ideas about things can kill a person. Zedekiah was crying out to the LORD, asking for salvation. The LORD answered his prayers. So, why wasn't Zedekiah saved? It is because he had a preconceived idea of how that salvation looked, and he would not submit himself to the actual words God spoke. For myself, then, when I pray for anything, I really need to clear out my own expectations. I need to pour over the Scriptures, to see what the LORD has already spoken about the issue. I acknowledge that He is sovereign, and I give Him lordship over my life, so I need to be obedient to what He says.
P) Father, You continue to show Yourself as a merciful God, full of grace toward me. Just as the men in the last days of the kingdom of Judah, I believe You are perpetually setting before me a path that leads to life, and I must choose that over the path that leads to death. I know that it is only through the strength You have given me, through the Holy Spirit, that I can walk in righteousness at all. Open my eyes and ears, to know and choose the path of life constantly. Thank You for making the Way, by the plan of salvation You had all along through Jesus Christ. In grace, help me choose life through obedience to Your words, and not according to my will or preconceived notions. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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