Then Don't Do It

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 13

Scripture Focus: Give glory to the Lord your God before he brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the twilight mountains, and while you look for light he turns it into gloom and makes it deep darkness.  But if you will not listen, my soul will weep in secret for your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly and run down with tears, because the Lord's flock has been taken captive. (Jeremiah 13.16-17)

Devotional Thought: Have you ever been doing something and suddenly have the thought occur to you, "This isn't going to end well"?  Did you keep going anyway?  How did it end?

That scenario is exactly what God is trying to prevent when he says, "Give glory to the Lord your God before he brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the twilight mountains" (Jeremiah 13.16).  You see, God has given us a conscience and he also brings conviction into our lives.  He gives us rules and authorities to teach us.  He puts us in families and social settings where we are told what to do until we can learn what to do without being told.  

One of the hardest parts of growing up is learning that your own worst enemy is your stubborn mind.  In my years of ministry, I saw countless people who kept on going, even when it hurt:

·       The drug addict who goes after the next fix

·       The porn user who is just going to take a peak

·       The verbal abuser whose tirades berate and belittle

·       The employee who constantly argues with his boss

·       The employer who won't listen to his employees

The possibilities are endless because our penchant for stubbornness is endless.

There's an old slapstick routine where a patient tells his doctor, "Doc, it hurts when I do this.  Can you fix it?"  "I sure can!" says the doctor with confidence.  "Don't do this, and it will stop hurting..."  While that is a simplistic explanation of God's solution, there is great truth in it spiritually.  The Bible teaches us to stop sinning, to repent, and to turn to God for forgiveness.  Does it hurt when you do it?  Then don't do it!

Prayer: Lord, through your Word you teach me the Truth.  Through nature, you help me see what is good.  In the voice of others, you warn me about danger.  With your Spirit, you convict me of sin.  Help me to respond while I can.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 107.17-22

17 Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;

18 they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death.

19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.

20 He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.

21 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!

22 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!