How should we respond when confronted with God's truth, as in Jeremiah 36:16? Hearing God’s Word With Holy Fear - “When they heard all the words, they turned to each other in fear and said to Baruch, ‘Surely we must report all these words to the king.’” (Jeremiah 36:16) - The officials felt immediate, shared reverence—a trembling awareness that God had spoken and action could not be delayed. - Isaiah 66:2b reminds, “…to this one I will look: to him who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.” Core Heart Responses God Desires - Humility: gladly admitting God is right and we need His correction (Psalm 25:9). - Reverence: treating Scripture as living, active, and surgically precise (Hebrews 4:12). - Eagerness: receiving the message “with great eagerness” and checking it daily (Acts 17:11). - Submission: becoming “doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). Turning Fear Into Immediate Obedience - Repent of exposed sin; align life without delay (Proverbs 28:13). - Declare the message faithfully, just as the officials took it to the king (Jeremiah 36:16). - Adjust plans, priorities, and relationships so nothing competes with God’s commands (Luke 14:33). - Embrace blessing promised to those who “hear the word of God and obey it” (Luke 11:28). Long-Term Habits That Keep Us Responsive - Daily intake: read, memorize, and meditate so the word dwells richly (Psalm 119:11; Colossians 3:16). - Regular self-examination under Scripture’s light (2 Corinthians 13:5). - Accountability with believers who will exhort and restore (Hebrews 10:24-25; Galatians 6:1). - Ongoing equipping: receive teaching, correction, and training because “All Scripture is God-breathed… so that the man of God may be complete” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Living Out a Continual Yes to God - Maintain a posture of trembling joy whenever Scripture speaks. - Let every encounter with God’s truth produce repentance, obedience, and witness. - By revering and acting on His word, we honor the Author and become bright testimonies of His transforming power. |
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