In what ways can we ensure our actions align with God's will today? Setting the scene “ ‘For the land is full of adulterers—because of the curse, the land mourns, and the pastures of the wilderness have dried up. Their course is evil, and their power is misused.’ ” (Jeremiah 23:10) Israel’s moral collapse showed up everywhere: family life, worship, government, even the landscape. God’s lament through Jeremiah reminds us that when people walk contrary to His ways, corruption spreads. The same principle holds today. If we want our actions to align with His will, we must choose the opposite course of the culture Jeremiah condemned. Why alignment with God’s will matters • Our obedience brings life and blessing (Deuteronomy 30:16). • It safeguards us from self–deception (James 1:22). • It makes us light in a dark world (Matthew 5:14-16). • It keeps us close to the Shepherd who laid down His life for us (John 10:27-28). Four guiding commitments 1. Pursue purity instead of hidden compromise. • Jeremiah points to “adulterers”—literal and spiritual. • 1 Thessalonians 4:3: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification.” 2. Choose truth over popular opinion. • False prophets in Jeremiah’s day justified sin (23:16-17). • John 17:17: “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.” 3. Practice justice and mercy. • The leaders misused power; God requires us “to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly” (Micah 6:8). 4. Depend on the Spirit, not fleshly strength. • Galatians 5:16: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Daily practices that keep us on course • Start and end each day in Scripture. Let passages like Psalm 1:1-3 shape your thinking before the world’s messages do. • Pray for discernment whenever decisions arise (James 1:5). • Cultivate accountability—invite a mature believer to ask you hard questions (Proverbs 27:17). • Memorize key verses that address your weak spots (Psalm 119:11). • Examine yesterday’s choices each evening, confess quickly, and course-correct (1 John 1:9). • Engage in corporate worship and service; isolation breeds drift (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Keep an eternal perspective: “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Encouraging promises as we obey • God’s guidance is sure—“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go” (Psalm 32:8). • His power is sufficient—“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). • Our labor is not in vain—“You will reap a harvest if you do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). |
    |