DATE POSTED
Monday, January 27, 2025, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa at Hunter Road, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Read it in your Bible, or click Jeremiah 11:1-8 to read it in the New English Translation (NET)

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
We are taught from a very early age that they are good things in store for our obedience, and sometimes displeasure, disappointment or even consequences that might result from our disobedience. If this was not the case, we would never learn the value of rewards, nor the importance of rules, promises/covenants, or laws. Just as God listens to our cry for forgiveness and salvation today, He also heard the cry for mercy from His people captured in Egypt. For us, God promised that anyone who believes on Jesus, the Son of God, we will be saved from the wrath of Hell and receive Eternal Life in heaven. But for all who reject His free gift, they would spend eternity in the depths of Hell with Satan and his cohorts. For the Israelites, God promised those who believed His covenant promise and lived in full obedience to His commands, they and their ancestors would transition from the heated fire of distress and mistreatment by the Egyptians to a fruitful, beautiful land that kings and queens could only long to live in or benefit from. However, this place of milk and honey was not intended for those who rejected the Word of God and disobeyed His commands. In fact, God told Jeremiah to warn the people that He would bring curses on the disobedient. Now, unless we casually think for a moment that we are reading a story about the history of our forefathers, I believe that we should consider how God provided His precious Word to trigger a celebration of praise when we are reminded of the many ways in which He blessed those before us, and how He promised to also bless those who accept Him as Lord today. But we must also realize that God would never leave the alternative open for discussion or second guessing. His complete Word is given to us, His obedient children, so that we could understand that since He is still the same today that He has always been, we too can expect the fertile ground that He promised the Israelites who obeyed His covenant with their forefathers. Likewise, I believe that God would also have us know that anytime we take things into our own hands and do life as we see fit, and not according to His commands or covenant with our forefathers, we too can expect His curse. You see, God didn’t want this unpleasant warning to go unnoticed or to never have an impact on His children today. We need the same reminder that God demanded His servant Jeremiah to share with the Israelites. When we obey God, we receive His blessings. When we ignore His promises and His precious gift of His Son Jesus, then we receive His curse and wind up getting our wish of being subjected to Satan’s unpleasant and horrific actions and domain. Based on your decisions to date, my friends, what have you done about Jesus? Is He your Lord and Savior? Or in rejecting His promises, are you satisfied in what Satan has to offer? Those are the only two options, my friends, and only you can make the decision or choice for your eternity.

PRAYER
Dear Lord Jesus, You have taught us the value of obedience, and You have warned us of the dangers and misfortunes of disobedience. Thank You for putting this into perspective through today’s Scripture and thank You for allowing Your servant Jeremiah the opportunity to warn Your people, instead of bringing down Hell and damnation on them without notice. Through this, I feel like You have also encouraged me and warned my contemporaries who have not heeded Your commands. Oh, that this may be a day of decision for many as this message is brought to light again, and may Your obedient children find reason to glorify You multiple times over. Be glorified through the truth of Your Word and in it being extended to the world through this devotional. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. I would also suggest that you speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com and share your good news! Perhaps one of God’s servants will pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue, your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. Friends, please allow me to encourage you to find a church home nearby your home and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that, while also growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!