Word from Scripture
“…If you heed Me carefully, says the Lord….” “But, if you will not heed Me….” Jeremiah 17:19-27
As the prophet Jeremiah writes these words, the people of God are living in a period of spiritual decline. Instead of God’s people enjoying intimacy with Him, they are experiencing the drab, disappointing days of God’s discipline. The people were actually experiencing the level of relationship with God which they chose. God told the people upfront their choices. “If you heed Me” or “if you will not heed Me…,” is what the Lord said.
As God’s people, we can enjoy the pleasures of intimacy with Him or we can endure the gall of ignoring Him. God has provided for His children to know and enjoy Him, to live in obedience to Him, and to prosper in Him. Oh, that we will humble ourselves and heed the Lord today. This action begins with spiritual leaders and by God’s grace carries through to all the people of God. We know upfront what will be according to the choice we make in Christ. Let intimacy with God be our choice.
Spiritual Leadership Concepts
- God tells His people upfront the choices they have with Him – heed and remain or not heed and suffer loss.
- God calls His people to rise spiritually – to give heed to His gracious, edifying, and fruitful ways.
- Spiritual leaders are to bring spiritual reminders to God’s people.
