Jeremiah 22:21 Refusal To Listen

I warned you when you felt secure, but you said, ‘I will not listen!’ This has been your way from your youth; you have not obeyed me. Jeremiah 22:21

As the nation of Judah was being overtaken by the Babylonians, God told King Jehoiakim that He had already been warning him. God had warned him of the coming disaster, yet, the king refused to listen. It was pointed out that his not listening was nothing new. He had been doing that since he was a young man.

Parents often warn their children of not doing some action, because it will bring about suffering and pain, or punishment. The purpose of the warnings are to protect the child, not bind them up and take away their freedom. Even though the warnings are done in love, many times a child will refuse to listen and get himself into trouble or be injured.

It is common for adults to look at children and talk about how they are rebellious and refuse to listen, while many are doing the exact same thing. God has set out a way to live life. He did that, not to bind a person up and take away his freedom, but in order that he may live life to the fullest.

When a person chooses to not live according to God’s plan, God will give warnings. Living in sin and against God’s plan, will bring about disaster and punishment. God’s holiness requires that He punish, if nothing is done about it.

Believers are often guilty of this type of living. They go to church and carry a bible, so they feel that there is nothing wrong. They feel secure. Yet, they are living with a sin in their life, refusing to give it up. They refuse to listen to what God is saying through the bible or through the pastor and others. While this is happening, the person often feels as though there is nothing wrong, yet there is.

Take a look at your own life. Ask yourself how well are you really listening to God? When God speaks are you obeying what He is saying? Or are you still going about doing your own thing?

Do not live your life in a way that God would have to say of you, that you have been rebellious since your youth. May God be able to say that you have done well and are faithful.

I pray today that you will hear God’s voice; that you will obey God’s voice; that you will know the warnings of God in your life; and that you will live your life for God.