What practical steps can we take to align with God's will as shown here? Setting the Scene Jeremiah 44 records Judah’s remnant taking refuge in Egypt against God’s explicit command. Verse 28 captures the outcome: “Those who escape the sword will return from the land of Egypt to the land of Judah, few in number. All the remnant of Judah who came to dwell in the land of Egypt shall know whose word will stand—Mine or theirs!” (Jeremiah 44:28) Only those who eventually submit to the LORD’s word survive. The contrast is stark: God’s word stands; human plans crumble. Key Lesson God’s will is not negotiable. Aligning with it determines life or loss. The passage presses us to choose submission over self-direction. Practical Steps to Align with God’s Will • Listen before you move – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). – Pause, pray, and search Scripture before relocating, changing jobs, or altering life direction. Refuse to flee to “Egypt” (worldly solutions) when pressure mounts. • Obey immediately and completely – “Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22). – Partial obedience kept Judah alive for a season in Egypt, but judgment followed. Act on the whole counsel of God, not the convenient parts. • Measure every voice against God’s unchanging word – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). – News, friends, and emotions speak loudly; Scripture must speak louder. Hold plans up to the light of God’s revealed commands. • Choose life-giving repentance over pride – “Now choose life, so that you and your descendants may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19). – When you realize you have gone to “Egypt,” turn back while you can. A humbled remnant did, and God preserved them. • Cultivate ongoing surrender – “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). – Daily Scripture reading, fellowship, and repentance keep the heart pliable. Surrender isn’t a one-time act; it’s a lifestyle. • Live the word, don’t just hear it – “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22). – The remnant heard Jeremiah but refused action. Translate every biblical insight into practical obedience today. • Anchor allegiance in love for Christ – “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word” (John 14:23). – Obedience flows from affection. Nurture your relationship with Jesus through worship and gratitude so that keeping His word becomes your delight, not a burden. Conclusion Jeremiah 44:28 warns that only God’s word stands. Aligning with His will means attentive listening, prompt obedience, Scripture-saturated decision-making, continual repentance, and love-fueled surrender. Follow these steps, and you will find yourself among the faithful few whose lives prove the enduring power of God’s unfailing word. |
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