Corona Devo 1698

"How many times do I have to tell you?"

~~~

I've been known to say this (in exasperation) to my kids.  For instance...their bath towels get hung over hooks hanging on the back of their bathroom door.  I would prefer their towels get hung over a towel bar, so that they might dry before the next use, but instead...one towel, then two, then three, and sometimes even more will be hung on top of each other on the hooks...each wet and staying wet for days. 

I've tried many ways of asking them not to do this.  I've explained the benefits of utilizing a towel rack.  I've educated them on the science of wet garments staying wet when stacked, I have given other (towel drying) options, and I've also threatened consequences. 

But do you know what works best for my kids?  Not just the threat of a consequence...but the threat of a consequence with a detailed explanation. 

For instance...not just saying, "Stop hanging wet towels on top of each other", but saying, "Stop hanging wet towels on top of each other or else you will lose the privilege of your phones and do the entire family's laundry for three days."

I have found that a consequence with a detailed explanation gets results.

And how many times do I have to tell them this?

Well, Jeremiah was a prophet who spoke God's word, God's law, and God's will to God's people (the Israelites) for twenty three years.

Jeremiah the prophet said to all the people in Judah and Jerusalem, (3) “For the past twenty-three years—from the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah, until now—the Lord has been giving me his messages. I have faithfully passed them on to you, but you have not listened.  

(4) “Again and again the Lord has sent you his servants, the prophets, but you have not listened or even paid attention. (5) Each time the message was this: ‘Turn from the evil road you are traveling and from the evil things you are doing. Only then will I let you live in this land that the Lord gave to you and your ancestors forever. (6) Do not provoke my anger by worshiping idols you made with your own hands. Then I will not harm you.’  ~Jeremiah 25:1-6

But do you know what worked best for the Israelites?  The threat of consequence with details explained.  

We can stiff-arm God for a long time.  Even twenty-three years, but we serve a holy and just God.  If we don't choose Him, there will be consequences, and if we are requiring detail, He will give them to us.  

“But you would not listen to me,” says the Lord. “You made me furious by worshiping idols you made with your own hands, bringing on yourselves all the disasters you now suffer. 

(8) And now the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Because you have not listened to me, (9) I will gather together all the armies of the north under King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, whom I have appointed as my deputy. I will bring them all against this land and its people and against the surrounding nations. I will completely destroy you and make you an object of horror and contempt and a ruin forever. 

(10) I will take away your happy singing and laughter. The joyful voices of bridegrooms and brides will no longer be heard. Your millstones will fall silent, and the lights in your homes will go out. 

(11) This entire land will become a desolate wasteland. Israel and her neighboring lands will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years.  ~Jeremiah 25:7-11.

Yikes!  I don't like those consequences with details explained!  

But, "How many times do I have to tell you?", God must have wondered.  

For 23 years God had used Jeremiah to speak His word and His warning to His people of Israel.  And yet they had not adhered to the instruction, the advice, or the warnings, even with detailed (nasty!) consequences foretold. 

Are we listening/adhering/seeking/obeying God today?

Is there someone that we should tell about the life-saving love of Jesus?  (Even if we have been telling them for the past twenty-three years?)

There's still time-- for us and them.

God still gave the Israelites a chance to repent. 

This message came to Jeremiah from the Lord early in the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah. (2) “This is what the Lord says: Stand in the courtyard in front of the Temple of the Lord, and make an announcement to the people who have come there to worship from all over Judah. Give them my entire message; include every word. 

(3) Perhaps they will listen and turn from their evil ways. Then I will change my mind about the disaster I am ready to pour out on them because of their sins.  ~Jeremiah 26:1-3

~~~

God provides "last chance" options to His children.  

God was asking and inviting His people.  He is still asking and inviting His people. 

How many times does He have to tell us?  Invite us?  Instruct us?  Warn us?  

Has it been twenty-three years?  He will never relent in pursuing our hearts.

"How many times do I have to tell you?", God asks.  

I have loved you with an everlasting love;  I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.  ~Jeremiah 31:3

~~~

"How many times do I have to tell you?", God asks. 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  ~John 3:16

~~~

"How many times do I have to tell you?", God asks. 

Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.  ~Isaiah 59:1  

~~~

God is convinced that nothing can (or should) separate us from Him (Romans 8:35-39).  Are we allowing something to?  

We do not want the consequences (and the Bible gives detailed explanations) of not choosing God.

Repent and share with others about God's Word and ways today.

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com