TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE

DEVOTIONAL

by Sandra Chua

The famous phrase “out of the pan into fire” describes a situation of escaping from a bad or difficult situation to a worse one. I would say fear is a big factor that would prompt a person to move from the pan into the fire. Fear has a way of distorting our perception. The danger that is closer always looks more threatening. It is like how we view mountains. The ones closer seem bigger. 

King Zedekiah summons Jeremiah the prophet again with the impending doom of Babylonian captivity. He was anxious to know from God what was going to happen. He knew that God knew what would happen and that God knew the best action he should take. But Jeremiah knew Zedekiah too well. In verse 15,  Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “If I tell you, will you not surely put me to death? And if I give you counsel, you will not listen to me.” Jeremiah has been there many times, and historically speaking, King Zedekiah has never listened. Zedekiah promised not to harm Jeremiah for whatever God will reveal. And so Jeremiah delivers God’s message. As expected, Zedekiah was reluctant to obey. He feared the Judeans who had deserted to the Chaldean. He anticipated that he would be handed over to them and that they would deal cruelly with him. Despite the assurance of God that he would not be handed to the Judeans and the prophecy of what would happen if he refused to surrender, Zedekiah could not bring himself to surrender. (See Jeremiah 39 if the suspense is killing you and you want to find out what happens next.)

I feel for King Zedekiah because many times, I find it difficult to obey too. Historically, the Israelites were also torn in spirit to obey despite the promise of blessings and threat of curses (Deuteronomy 28). If it is any help to entice us to obedience, Jesus warns in Matthew 10:28, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” So how do we overcome this fear of lesser things? 

How do we make the right choice in the face of fear? Three things: Know your God. Trust your God. Fear your God. The Bible says it again and again, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

REFLECTION

How well do I know my God so that I can trust Him in difficult times?   

PRAYER

Dear heavenly Father, You are a great and awesome God. You have promised never to leave us nor forsake us. Let me not be afraid of things that are so much less than You. You know me by name. You have redeemed me through the blood of Jesus. I am Yours. When I pass through deep waters, they will not sweep me over, for You are my God, and I will not be dismayed. Let me fear You alone and thus make the right decisions in my life in Jesus’ name, amen.