Machelle McDowell

October 17, 2024

How often do we as believers pray for direction but we have already decided upon it?

I feel like we are all guilty of this. In essence, we are saying, “Lord, I got this but it would be good to know that you are with me. Right?

This is the “wrong” thinking and God does not honor it. We are ultimately acting on our own power and not God’s Lordship.

Jeremiah 40-43: (Great example)

Story recap- The people of Judah were exiled to Babylon. God blessed Jeremiah for his faithfulness leading up to this act of judgment against Israel. He had been a prisoner prior to exile and now by the hand of God released with the option to go to Babylon under the care of the captain of the guard or to remain in Judah under the watch care of Gedaliah who was named Governor.

Fast forward, Gedaliah was assassinated by Ishmael which the motive apparently was rooted out of jealousy for the leadership position.

After this terrible assassination the people were anxious and fearful. They sought out Jeremiah to ask for a word from God. What seemed like a humble request turned out to be quite the opposite.

The first flag of caution- this had never happened before the Jerusalem demise…they had never sought counsel from God. They were seeking encouragement in that God’s hand of protection might be on them. They knew Jeremiah was the man who could go to God on their behalf.

This was a wonderful idea on the surface. There was one problem…motive. This is how they approached Jeremiah…Look closely at Jeremiah 42:2- and said to Jeremiah the prophet, “Let our plea for mercy come before you, and pray to the Lord your God for us, for all this remnant because we are left with but a few, as your eyes see us”.

Wow. There is a defining statement here. Did you catch it? They recognize God as a power but not as their Lord. They ask him to speak to “his” Lord..not theirs.

Ofcourse, God sees through their request but shows them mercy anyway.

“Take notice not only of the mercies of God, but of God in the mercies.” (Anonymous)

In Jeremiah 42 the prophet lays out for them what God had to say about the future. They did not like what they heard. God told them they were to remain in the land and they would receive his protection. They were not to go to Egypt and If they returned they would die by the sword!

They did not appreciate that message! They immediately became irate and accused Jeremiah of being a liar.

This reaction towards Jeremiah led me to believe that the leaders had already decided to go to Egypt but they were wanting Jeremiah to tell them that God’s hand of protection was going to be upon them. They were not seeking God’s leadership only his power.

Johanan, the commanders of the forces and all of the people present did not obey the voice of the Lord. Johanan gathered up everyone that was left and took them to Egypt!

A direct act of disobedience to say the least. If you want to provoke the Lord to anger.. deliberately disobey his commands.

God offered them his protection even though they did not deserve it. Their desire to hear from God had nothing to do with God’s will for them but only what God could do for them….All they had to do was to stay put.

God’s response Jer. 43:11- “He shall come and strike the land of Egypt, giving over to the pestilence, to captivity those who are doomed to captivity, and to the sword those who are doomed to the sword.” They are doomed!

They knew of his power now they will experience his power. They were given the choice to take God’s gracious offer of protection but instead will suffer the consequence of their self righteousness.

The season of mercy quickly became the season of accountability.

God’s mercies are new everyday. We should embrace them and be grateful and thankful we serve a God who loves us this much.

When we decide to honor God through our decisions,

God will make it possible for us to succeed!