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Keeping up appearances


Jeremiah 37:3, 6 – 10; 38: 20 – 26

Why are we so concerned with people’s opinion of us? Why do we tend to value God’s word less and people’s opinion more? In the reference text, God’s word through Jeremiah to the Israelites was clear. "Surrender to Babylon and you will be saved." Babylon was on a mission to destroy the city; a mission allowed by God as repercussion for how far his people had drifted away from him. The people had heard to Jeremiah prophesy; they had seen his prophecies fulfilled, yet they refused to listen to him. Instead, they threatened to kill him.
The most interesting character is the King. He refused to listen to the words of Jeremiah; but asked for prayers from him! Sound familiar? We get so caught up in our plans and projects that even when we hear the Lord say “not so child”, “let go”’, we still hold on, and ask Him to bless it!
In an interesting conversation with the king, Jeremiah tells him for the last time “Surrender to Babylon and be saved”. But the king was afraid of surrendering. He had to appear to be king to his people; and not a wimp that would give up without a fight. This reminds me of when Saul attacked the Amalekites and disobeyed God’s orders; his defence was ‘the people made me do it!’ and even when Samuel prophesied that the kingdom would be taken away from him and given to another, he asked Samuel to follow him out to sacrifice, for the sake of ... the people! It is interesting how the issues that happened in the lives of people in the bible times still find their way into our lives.
What is it for you? The opinion of people surrounding you? The thought of starting over? Are you afraid of the future so much that you would rather hold on to the present?
Let it go! Listen to the word of God for you at this moment and do what He says. He holds the future and He knows what’s best for you. Don’t be concerned with the opinion of people. They have no idea what the future holds and their perspectives are skewed to short term only. Trust in the Lord and do his will; you will be established.
And if you are refusing to let go as a result of pride ... remember He gives grace to the humble, but resists the proud. Let go of the pride it will only cause you to sink and drift further away from his will.
Prov. 3:5-6. Trust in the Lord!

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