S. O. A. P.

Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!

S-cripture:

Jeremiah 43:7a

So they entered Egypt in disobedience to the Lord.

O-bservation:

Just like God had promised, Israel was overrun by Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylonian army. After completely destroying Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar let a small remnant of people from Judah stay, and Jeremiah the Prophet was released from prison to go back to his home. Several military leaders from Judah came and asked Jeremiah what they should do. Jeremiah asked God and God told Jeremiah to tell the people to stay in Judah and not go to Egypt. God said He would bless them if they stayed. When they heard this, they told Jeremiah he was a liar and they left for Egypt.

A-pplication:

Whenever I read this passage, I always ask “WHY?” Why did they come to the Prophet Jeremiah for direction to begin with? Why did they wait 10 days for Jeremiah to hear from the Lord? Why, upon hearing the Word of the Lord, did they call Jeremiah, the messenger, a liar? Why did they do the exact opposite of what God told them to do? The answer can be found in one word: REBELLION. It was their Rebellion that forced the “Hand of God” to discipline them in the first place. Even after the destruction and carnage left by the Babylonians, their REBELLION had not been repented of, and now this small remnant who were given a second chance by God rebelled again and headed for their demise in Egypt. The first question any “Follower of Jesus” has when viewing REBELLION from a distance is always … “Why?”

P-rayer:

Dear Jesus,

I always ask “WHY” You would love me so much that You would die for a REBEL like me. I know Your sacrifice begs the question “WHY” when You see so many continue in their Rebellion. But for me, all I can say is … Thanks. Amen