Day 33

Jeremiah’s Advice to Stay



Jeremiah 42:1-22, Jeremiah 43:1-13, Psalm 104:1-4, Romans 8:31

BY Kaitie Stoddard

Everyone in the whole city wanted to know God’s will for them, or so they said. But when the Lord’s instructions didn’t match up with what the people of Judah wanted to hear, they quickly made up excuses to dismiss the message and the messenger.

God spoke through Jeremiah and told the people to stay put, but they trusted their own plans over His. “Surely Egypt will be better,” they arrogantly thought. Much like when Eve bit into the forbidden fruit, the people placed themselves on the throne to judge what was best for their lives. In doing so, they failed to trust God. It’s a mistake that humankind has made repeatedly since the beginning of time. But just as God was trying to protect Adam and Eve when He warned them not to eat the fruit in the garden, He was trying to protect the people of Judah. It’s important to realize that God wasn’t being controlling or trying to ruin their fun, rather, He knew that if they followed their own path it would lead straight to death (Jeremiah 42:22).

I’m sure we’ve all asked God for wisdom and direction in big and small decisions. But can you think of a time when you weren’t really open to hearing the Father’s answer? Maybe you already had your mind made up about what you wanted to do or what you thought was best. But when God started to speak to you, were you willing to hear what He had to say? Was your heart ready to obey?

Like Adam and Eve, and the people Jeremiah prophesied to, most of the time we are not setting out to purposely rebel against God. The problem is actually more deeply rooted in our hearts than that. The reason we struggle to obey God is because we struggle to trust God. While we profess with our lips that God is a good and wise King, our actions sometimes show that we put more stock in our own judgment and abilities to run the show. But just as it was for the first man and woman, and the stubborn people of Judah, our own steps unguided by the light of the Holy Spirit always lead to the dead end of death.

We must trust God more and trust ourselves less; He must increase, and we must decrease (John 3:30). None of us are perfect in this area. Not one. But we don’t need to figure this out alone. God knows this fault in us, and it’s exactly why He came to save us from ourselves. We have a rescuer who will go after us no matter how far we’ve wandered from the path. Like a good Shepherd, our God will chase down the lost sheep and bring us back into the fold (Luke 15:4). And bit by bit, as we learn to trust God to lead our lives, we will experience life, abundant life.Through communion with God, we will be “transformed into the same image from glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Post Comments (65)

65 thoughts on "Jeremiah’s Advice to Stay"

  1. Chris Swan says:

    This morning on the news we heard about a rich person giving a large sum of money to a city in need! Yea—- but then—- his statement about the people wanting sports to return— that we are brought together by sports— Oh how God is crying out to our nation to return to Him! Not ourselves…

  2. Angie says:

    This morning I let my mind soar as I read Psalm 104:1-4.
    With my pen I drew God at the head (and in my mind and heart I saw His eyes shine forth holiness, righteousness, wrath, goodness, and love-yes, all of them)
    Majesty and Splendor clothe Him like a cloak (Soft, bold, glittery, radiance pouring out).
    I drew the canopy below Him of the sky, (His powerful presence above all), and tried to imagine the beams of his palace in the water above.
    I drew (and imagined) a chariot of clouds that my Lord of Armies rides upon, with wing shaped wind beneath His feet.
    I drew (and pictured in my mind), the wave of His hand or a puff of His breath sending wind messengers throughout the universe and flames of fire servants to do His bidding.

    Then I sang, Blessed Assurance…with an added verse:
    Simple assurance, lost soul finds rest.
    Jesus’ blood covers, and I am so blessed.
    Indwelled by His Spirit, heir to the throne.
    Bowed in His presence, He calls me His own.
    This is my life Lord, this is my call. Humbly before You, I give You my all.
    Life lived out for You, kneeling, arms raised. The Author of Love is, the King of my Days.
    This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior, all the day long
    Yes, this is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior,…all the day long.

    1. Margaret Lindsey says:

      Love the verse for Blessed Assurance! Thank you for your imagery and poetry!

    2. Renee Adams says:

      Angie, I too had this picture in my mind- of God in his chariot riding on the wings of the wind in the clouds- it made me think of the Sistine chapel and images of DaVinci paintings came to mind. I heard the words of one of my favorite hymns – and in my mind sang along to your new addition to it.

    3. Zoe Brock says:

      That’s beautiful Angie x

  3. Maura says:

    praying for you Monie Mag. May you feel His love and protection around you as you serve all those He brings you. I use to do admissions in the ER. Such amazing servants praying for you all in this time. Know He is right there with you, the Everlasting Arms around you. Lord heal our nation, turn their hearts and minds to you. May we be your hands and feet right where we are. Guide us and teach us Your will. Open our mouth, give us your peace. Bring healing and peace Jesus. Almighty God there is none like you. Bless all these dear Sisters this day. Poured out love, grace and compassion. Holy God we love you.

  4. Monie Mag says:

    Today I am asking my Father for His peace, the peace that transcends all understanding, that will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. I am a nurse waiting in my hospital for the storm to hit. I am afraid. I am giving this fear to Jesus and thanking and praising Him for his faithfulness, unfailing love and protection. I believe Your word for me today right out of Jeremiah 42:11-12 “Don’t be afraid of the virus(king of Babylon)whom you now fear; don’t be afraid of it because I am with you, to save you and rescue you from it. I will grant to mercy and have compassion on you and allow you to return to your life” I will be staying put and caring for the sick instead of running away. I will rejoice in my Lord and pray for the sick, the healthcare workers and all those who are afraid.

    1. Cristina Higgins says:

      God bless you for your faith and strength Monie Mag! I can sit back in my safe house and talk about the fear I’m going through for my son with cancer. But you, you are on the front lines, you are showing your faith, compassion and strength to those who need you. Peace I pray for you! Be safe sister❣️

  5. Churchmouse says:

    Right back at ya, Tina!! Love you too! Social distancing with you is easy :) But oh the hug I’m gonna give you when we meet in heaven!!

    Not just Tina, but all my SRT sisters. And especially Rachael and Amanda who started this site and has blessed us beyond what could be imagined. When God is in it, nothing can stop it!

    1. Melissa Graves says:

      Amen, Tina and Churchmouse. Love to all my SRT sisters ❤️

    2. Mari V says:

      Ditto ❤️

  6. Kara says:

    Be still, and know that He is God.

    Stay home, and know that you’re doing His will by protecting your community.

    Be compassionate to yourself, and know that He sees your struggle.

    Be at peace, for He is bigger than our current circumstances.

    Be strong, for He has gone before us and has a path in place.

    Praying for you sisters. These are scary times, but He is in control.

  7. Nancy Singleton says:

    Tina, your words are so true for this strange time in our world. Father, let us be obedient to the government & experts, while trusting You with the ultimate outcome of this crisis. There is no one unaffected, so let us as believers let our light shine however we may! Don’t let us grumble & fume, but choose to use this time of stillness well.

  8. Laura says:

    Thank you, Rebekah C. for what you shared. It saddens my heart to watch my own children living through this struggle right now – wanting to follow their own hearts and their own plans – even though it goes against God’s plan for their lives. It’s so hard to watch your children turn their hearts so solidly toward sin, and away from God. It gives me a slight glimpse into how God felt about His own children, about us, whenever we stubbornly turn from Him. I am always encouraged when I hear stories that are shared about how someone went through a period of rebellion and God continued to pursue them and they turned around and ran toward Him. It is my prayer for my children every day.

    1. Laurie Crary says:

      Yes, yes. Amen.

    2. Laurie Crary says:

      Yes, yes.

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