Jeremiah Chapter 38 – Stand for God or Fall for Anything

Who do you fear – God or man? Do you fear neither God nor man? Do you fear both God and man? If so, who do you fear more – God or man, and why?

Is this not our constant reality – we often find ourselves pushed back, pressed down and tossed around by people, so much so, we forget, even downplay, who we are to God, how we are to be as God’s?

In this chapter, we see a king who esteemed the preservation of his life far more than his obedience to God. His eventual decision to obey was also conditional – professed in secrecy and after being personally reassured of his survival.

Quite conspicuously, the heart, attitude and conduct of this king is a point of reflection for us. Is our faith and obedience to God and His commands contingent on the idealness of our life’s circumstances? Do we live in accordance with God’s will only when it is easy, when we are worry-free, but give up and abuse our free will in the thick of trials and sorrows? Should not our fear of God who knows and controls all, exceedingly surpass our fear of every fallible man?

God loves the world, not because we are deserving; He loves the world, just because He can. All He asks in return is for us to love Him in ways He knows are best for us. Therefore, in times when our resolve for God is tested, let us not shy away from our confidence in Him, lest God too, hides His face from us.

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