Options

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 21

Scripture Focus: Thus says the Lord: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. (Jeremiah 21.8)

Devotional Thought: God always provides options.  Throughout the succession of many kings, Judah had a long history of disobeying and turning from God.  Judah had few spiritual bright spots in the time following  King David's death, and it often seemed to be one step forward followed by two steps (or more) back.

The last great reform came with King Josiah.  But, history had pretty much become tradition by then, and Josiah’s "pride cometh before a fall."  Defeated by Egypt, things went from bad to worse when Babylon, their so-called "deliverer", put an end to Judah’s dynasty and placed all the Jews in captivity.

Following Josiah, there were a few short years of failures by other sons and grandsons.  Zedekiah was eventually made the last king of Judah by the king of Babylon.  These years were inundated with warnings from God through Jeremiah and other prophets, warnings of what would happen IF Judah didn’t mend their ways.  God was always providing options. 

In the final stage of Judah’s downfall, God was giving each person one more chance, a last option: "I set before you the way of life and the way of death" (Jeremiah 21.8).  Judah could surrender to the Babylonians and live, or they could fight and die.  Zedekiah chose to fight and die, which resulted in dire consequences for himself, his family and his nation. Some, however, did surrender to the Babylonians - God’s other option - and lived!  (Note Jeremiah 37.13.) 

What about you?  Are you listening to the Word of God?  Are you taking more steps forward than backward?  Are you choosing the way of life over the way of death?  God will provide options for you... UNTIL there are no options left!

John Wade

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the option to choose.  I choose you, to follow your Word.  I choose life.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 118.1-4

1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

2 Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever. ”

3 Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever. ”

4 Let those who fear the Lord say, “His steadfast love endures forever. ”