Who Are We Pleasing?

O. T. #1755  "Who Are We Pleasing?"
August 13, 2020
Jeremiah 12-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

Sometimes we are confronted with a choice of either pleasing God or pleasing others. We learned that God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours and are not like ours. (Isaiah 55) Certainly, it is good for us to strive to keep good relationships, but it is more important for us to obey and be steadfast in our relationship with Christ Jesus. We should not even consider compromising God's Word and disobeying Him. Isn't it more important for us children of God to obey our Father? Even though our obedience may result in divisions, misunderstandings, or even oppositions in our family and friends relationships, we must realize God requires first place in our heart. And He deserves it, may I add.   [Resource: Experiencing God Day-By-Day Devotional by Henry and Richard Blackaby]

Peace of mind, love overflowing, a heart of joy, these come when we obey Jesus. So don't be discouraged when others tempt us, discourage us, criticize us. We owe our allegiance to a higher King.

Judah did not stay faithful to their God. We know what happened to them-everything they worked for was destroyed, they were taken captive into a foreign land by horrible Babylonians. It took the disciplining hand of God to bring them back to worshiping Him only.

Will we compromise our standards and beliefs in God today or stay true to them and Him? It is our choice.

There were three times that we had to decide to follow Jesus and leave family behind or not. The first time was when we moved 6 hours away to attend college. The next time was when we moved away for my husband to attend seminary. The last time was when we move to another state, some 12 hours drive away. Our families had a hard time accepting those moves, for we took their grandchildren away from them. Jesus blessed us with other families in our churches and schools. It was very difficult to remain obedient, but how it was worth it all.
Is God calling you away from your family to follow Him?


LET IT GROW

Jehovah lamented over His children of Judah. We read it in verses 7-13. Judah broke their covenant with God and His judgment was coming. How did He describe Judah using figures of speech?

• house: They polluted the Temple, forcing God out of it.
• heritage: Their sins caused God to no longer delight in, care for, and protect them.
• beloved: Once being God's dearly beloved and precious children were no longer honorable.
• lion: They acted like a ferocious lions against God.
• speckled bird: They were speckled with sin and compromise.
• beasts: Judah and Israel digressed into beasts of prey, whom nobody loved and avoided.
• vineyard: Sweetness and kindness had left them. Their were no longer valuable and  interesting.
• portion: Their land became a desolate wilderness instead of a land flowing with milk and honey.

Friends, may we not become like what Judah and Israel described above.

LET IT GO
May we not compromise God's Word, but tell the Truth-Jesus.
May we remain faithful witnesses of His love, kindness, peace, joy, hope, grace, and mercy.
He has done great things. What a Savior!
His love overcomes.
How trustworthy and faithful He is!