Highlights:

Judah, don't be fooled but Hear the Word of the Lord (7:4-5; 9:24). The consequences of disobedient children are about to bring complete disaster. If God's true prophet is brought to tears (8:18-22), what do you think it does to the Father's heart? God forgive us our disobedience and help us stay faithful to your will!

But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be My people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you (Jer. 7:23).

Many people in this world think that happiness is found by satisfying their own desires. They act on the impulses of the moment. If they feel they need or want it, they do whatever they can to get it. Even though they do all this, they remain unfulfilled.

There are many people who spend much of their lives striving for more money. They work countless hours just to spend the money on things to gain a greater status in their community. They continuously try to up the ante. They feel they must have the nicest house, car, etc., in order to be happy.

They leave a job they are happy with in hopes of finding a better job. They constantly seek a promotion, even if it means taking a position they will hate. All this is done in hopes of a better, happier life.

They fail to realize that the Lord is the giver of success. God is the one who gave us directions in how to find happiness in life. The secret to this can be found in the Scriptures.

In this Scripture from Jeremiah, we find the key is obedience to God. In obeying God, we draw closer to Him. In drawing closer to Him, we begin to live more like He desires us to live. When we live a Christ-like lifestyle, the blessings of God will follow. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing (Matt. 24:45-46).

Obedience is so often misunderstood. Many feel that obedience to something or someone is a sign of weakness. This is not the case. As a matter of fact, obedience could be viewed as a great strength.

The Lord is not some wicked master who gives His servants a multitude of hard duties to undertake. That is not the type of obedience which God asks of us. On the contrary, obedience to God means surrendering our will to the Will of God. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Phil. 2:13).

In doing so, each day we may cheerfully journey down the road in which the providence of God leads us. We no longer need to seek fulfillment in things that will never provide it. We need not become discouraged when things don't go the way we think they should. We have this freedom because we no longer are bound to our will or forced to find our own way. We trust in the will and power of God.

The more we trust in God's will for our lives, the more our lives will go in the direction that God intends. Only in walking in His ways will we live life to the fullest.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10).

Thought for Today:

We may deceive others, but we can never deceive God.

Christ Revealed:

As the One who demanded a cleansed Temple (Jer. 7:1-11). Jesus cleansed the Temple and said: My House shall be called of all nations the House of Prayer (Mark 11:17).

Word Studies:

7:15 the whole seed of Ephraim, all the people of the Northern Kingdom; 7:33 fray, frighten; 9:7 melt them, and try them, refine them by testing with affliction; 10:22 noise of the bruit, sound of a rumor.

Prayer Suggestion: Pray at all times (Ps. 55:17).

Optional Reading: 2 Peter 1

Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 90:1-2