MONDAY January 23, 2017

Heeding the Message

 Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you. Return now everyone from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.” - Jeremiah 18:11

There were many prophets that God used to speak to his people. Among them were Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel.  At times they would warn God’s people of His coming chastisement if they continued down a path of disobedience. In response the prophets often experienced persecution because of Israel’s outright rebellion. This was Israel’s reply after the prophet Jeremiah gave them a warning from the Lord:

Then they said, “Come and let us devise plans against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come and let us attack him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.” (Jeremiah 18:18).

When Stephen accurately retold Israel’s rebellious history to the Pharisees––the Jewish religious leaders,  their attitude had not changed (Acts 7:1-50). Notice what Stephen tells them, before he was killed, about their treatment of God’s prophets:

Youstiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.  Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One… (Acts 7:51-52).

When God speaks to you by His Word and convicts you by the Holy Spirit, do you heed His warnings? Do not have the same reaction as the men Jeremiah warned or the Pharisees that stoned Stephen (Acts 7:54).

… we will walk according to our own plans, and we will every one obey the dictates of his evil heart.”
~Jeremiah 18:12~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!