Principles of Obedience

Bulletins

Brian Nielsen
04/14/24 - General

In Old Testament days people had prophets. Today we have the Bible. Both are from God, and similar principles apply. The 42nd chapter of Jeremiah from the past provides a test that we can ask ourselves now:

-- Do we realize there are consequences as to whether we follow instructions from the One who knows best?

"So they said to Jeremiah, 'Let the lord be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not do according to everything which the lord your God sends us by you.' " (Jeremiah 42:5)

-- Do we only want to hear what we want to hear or do we truly want to hear what God tells us?

"Whether it is pleasing or displeasing, we will obey the voice of the lord our God to whom we send you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the lord our God." (Jeremiah 42:6)

-- Do we want instant gratification or are we willing to wait?

"And it happened after ten days that the word of the lord came to Jeremiah." (Jeremiah 42:7)

Sometimes God acts in ten days; sometimes it is much longer. The sure thing is His wisdom prevails and our obedience or lack of it brings consequences: "And I have this day declared it to you, but you have not obeyed the voice of the lord your God, or anything which He has sent you by me. Now therefore, know

certainly that you shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence in the place where you desire to go to dwell." (Jeremiah 42:21-22)

Different times, different circumstances. But God's principles remain the same.

(Scripture quotes are from the NKJV)