The Concerns Fear Creates
Jeremiah 38:19-20, "And Zedekiah the king said unto Jeremiah, I am afraid of the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me. But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver thee. Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the LORD, which I speak unto thee: so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live."
Human nature is filled with certain characteristics. One of those characteristics is self-preservation. We will go to great lengths to make our life what we think it should be and to guard it if we feel threatened. In today's passage, King Zedekiah was facing the fact of a Babylonian invasion and the circumstances that invasion would create in his own life. He was afraid of what the Jews who had already given themselves over to the Chaldeans might do to him. The word "mock" in verse 19 speaks of treating a person harshly. Our Bible speaks of Jesus being mocked during the events of His trial and crucifixion.
The prophet Jeremiah attempted to console Zedekiah by telling him to obey his words, which were the words of God, and things would be well for him, and he would live. Zedekiah, however, chose a different path, resisted the Chaldeans and the end result was Zedekiah saw his sons put to death, and then had his eyes put out.
We are to fear God, not man!!! We are to fear Him that is able to destroy both body and soul in hell (Matthew 10:28). Fearing the wrong thing will lead us down the wrong path. We must determine to listen to and obey the voice of the Lord rather than our emotions. Proverbs 29:25, The fear of man bringeth a snare "The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe." Stay on the right path by obeying the Lord.
Have a great day rejoicing in God's goodness and protection.
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
MEDITATIONS
1. Explain why sometimes we fail to follow the Word of God?
2. What circumstances in your life have created fear in you? How did you respond?
3. We always lose when we choose to fear man more than God. How can you make sure to keep God preeminent in your life?