Is There a Word From the Lord?

Jeremiah 37: ¹⁷ Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took him out: and the king asked him secretly in his house, and said, Is there any word from the Lord? And Jeremiah said, There is: for, said he, thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon. ¹⁸ Moreover Jeremiah said unto king Zedekiah, What have I offended against thee, or against thy servants, or against this people, that ye have put me in prison? ¹⁹ Where are now your prophets which prophesied unto you, saying, The king of Babylon shall not come against you, nor against this land? ²¹ Then Zedekiah the king commanded that they should commit Jeremiah into the court of the prison, and that they should give him daily a piece of bread out of the bakers’ street, until all the bread in the city were spent. Thus Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.

Is there a word from the Lord?  This question needs to be asked and the best course to take is to seek the Lord.  Jeremiah responded with a yes.  If you want to hear from God he’s ready to listen and speak.  He’ll give you answers.

Society has pressed it leading people to believe there is no God to talk to or that he’s no longer valid.  If we believe that, all things we face lead to the belief that God is not there.  We ask why is He silent.  When the devil tempts you to lose your faith in the Lord, don’t.  God has and will speak to you today.

Israel was divided as the United States and the world are today.  The people divided it themselves by their beliefs.  Some wanted God but they also wanted other gods.  You can’t accommodate sin with righteousness.  You cannot put faith in God and other things.  We can’t serve God and mammon.  That means more than just money.

Zedekiah was a backslidden king who put Jeremiah in prison. He was the prophet of God in those days and told the people what God said, not what they wanted to hear.   Zedekiah called on Egypt to help him, overlooking the fact that they were enemies of Israel.  King Nebuchadnezzar was attempting an attack on Israel.  Egypt agreed to help.  Paul tells us that the weapons of our warfare are not something we can pick up.  It’s a spiritual warfare.  Zedekiah put aside the fact that Egypt was his enemy.  When he asked Jeremiah about it he was told that he shouldn’t deceive himself.  We wrestle against principalities and powers and the rulers of darkness.  This is what’s behind the evil in the world.  It pulls people from God and keeps them from hearing the Lord.  This shows us the same old Satan who wants to keep people from being saved and discourage those who are living for him.  He wants us to give in and go along with the world.

There is a word from the Lord.  It is not a smooth ride but through it all God will not forsake us.  Many pretend to believe.  Others simply believe man more than they do the Lord.  Then they question God.  Why?  Why?  We are to be thankful in all things.  If you’re not being bothered by the devil maybe he had you where he wants you.  Jesus is always the same and has a word for us in every situation.  We can learn to be content.

Jesus prayed for Peter telling him the devil would deceive him.  He would deny the Lord three times.  Jesus knew Peter would be deceived just as he knew Judas would betray him.  He warned both of them.  Everyone has a choice.  What’s the matter with God?  Never ask that.  Instead ask “what’s the matter with me?”  Are you really seeking the Lord?  Jeremiah had been in prison many days.  Zedekiah was playing around with the Egyptians.  Remember this world can’t save you.  Only God through his son Jesus Christ can do that.

Egypt’s plan was to help Israel with the other enemy and then claim them as their own. All nations have their eye on Israel even today.   Don’t connect with this world for fulfillment.  Go to God.  When Zedekiah saw what was happening he didn’t call for help in other places.  He called for Jeremiah.   Don’t put Jesus in the dungeon and after you’ve done all you want call him out.  We’re the ones that need to be in prison, not Jesus.

Even though Jeremiah was in prison he was the only truly free person.  He preached the word of the Lord with no results.  He didn’t give up.  Don’t think it does no good to be a Christian.  There are some in the US who believe that Christians are the enemy.  Mark it down.  As we stand for the Lord we’ll be put down.  Don’t get to the point of thinking there is no word from the Lord.  When he got afraid Zedekiah called on Jeremiah like a spare tire.  He said maybe now he would hear from the Lord.  He thought he’d get his way.  He was king after all.  God would do what he wanted him to do.  We may think we’re the king of the road but don’t be deceived.  God warns us.  We can’t live however we want.  We have the freedom of will but we should know what the word of the Lord says.

Zedekiah found out his days were numbered.  Jeremiah was barely able to come forth from the prison because of the treatment he received while there.  Surely he had learned his lesson.  Zedekiah asked is there a word from the Lord.  Yes there was but he wasn’t going to like it.  Jeremiah told him the enemy would overtake them.  He got so mad that he sent Jeremiah back to prison.  We can’t play hit and miss with God, come once a month to church, and choose to live how we want.  Zedekiah should have turned to God.

Don’t say you’ve not heard from God.  Read his word.  Don’t give him your list.  He’s not Santa Claus.  He will provide all we need if we look to him for our spiritual needs.  If you feel like you’ve not heard from him, go to the Bible.  It’s foolish to ask is there a word from him if we overlook his word.  If what we feel or think doesn’t agree with the Bible it’s not from God.  The devil is doing his best to mash us all down.  We can get help in his house and from his word.  The answer is there.

Is there a word from the Lord?  Yes and whether it’s good or bad depends on how and what we do.  Everything was taken from Zedekiah.  His eyes were put out and he was tied up to walk all the way to Babylon as a prisoner.  While we still have opportunity, take it.  There is a word from the Lord.  Ask him to help you and show you the answers you seek so you can be a faithful servant of God.