PODCAST
Are You Listening To God?
June 12th, 2018
Jeremiah 7:12-26
In Jeremiah’s day, God’s people had the great blessing of the Temple. There in the Temple was the Ark of the Covenant, the physical assurance of God’s continuing presence with them. At the altar, the sacrifices were offered daily, reminding the people of God’s forgiving grace. What a blessing to live in proximity to those visible expressions of God’s blessing!
The problem came when the people confused God’s blessing with God’s approval of their behavior. The Word says that the Lord blesses both the righteous and the unrighteous with sunshine and rain (Matthew 5:45). God does this for those who follow him wholeheartedly, and those who outright reject him. God’s blessing does not necessarily indicate God’s approval of our actions or attitudes.
The Israelites of Jeremiah’s day refused to hear the divine word of warning. Their stubbornness brought the judgment and punishment of God upon their lives. Have we mistook God’s blessing for God’s approval? If so, it’s time to get our lives lined back up with God’s will.
Author: Caleb Reynolds