Not Out of Fear

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 34

Scripture Focus: You recently repented and did what was right in my eyes by proclaiming liberty, each to his neighbor, and you made a covenant before me in the house that is called by my name, but then you turned around and profaned my name... (Jeremiah 34.15-16)

Devotional Thought: I recently read something that went like this: " Nothing I do can impact how God 'feels' about me.  God cannot be more pleased with me or less pleased with me because he sees me through the sacrifice of Jesus.  But, what I do may impact how I feel about myself."

In one sense, I understand that sentiment.  No human being can save themselves by any work that they do.  It is by faith alone.  God accepts us on the merits of the sacrifice of Jesus.  But, in reality there is little biblical evidence to support the claim that my behavior does not impact how God "feels" about me. 

That was the very danger that the people faced in Jeremiah's day.  When the pressure was on and their existence was threatened, the people gladly did what God had asked them to do: release their slaves.  When the threat was past, however, they re-enslaved their brothers and sisters.  God determined to send them "the sword... pestilence... famine... horror" (v. 17).  That doesn't sound like he was pleased to me.

The Bible gives examples of how someone's behavior impacted how God "felt" about them:

·       The angels, whom he cast into hell and committed to chains (2 Peter 2)

·       King Saul, who had everything going for him and knew it (1 Samuel 15)

·       Ananias and Sapphira, who fell dead for lying to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5)

·       False teachers in 2 Peter and Jude, who perverted the grace of God (Jude 1)

·       Laodiceans, whom Jesus was about to spit from his mouth (Revelation 3)

Let us do all we can to please God, not out of fear but out of love!

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for loving me and giving your life on the cross to redeem me from my sin and from my selfishness.  Help me not to pervert your grace as a license to sin.  I want to please you, Lord, with all my being.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 119.49-56

49 Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope.

50 This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.

51 The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from your law.

52 When I think of your rules from of old, I take comfort, O Lord.

53 Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake your law.

54 Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourning.

55 I remember your name in the night, O Lord, and keep your law.

56 This blessing has fallen to me, that I have kept your precepts.