Connect with God Through Prayer
Scripture Passage: Jeremiah 37:1-10 (NASB)
1 Now Zedekiah the son of Josiah whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had made king in the land of Judah, reigned as king in place of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim. 2 But neither he nor his servants nor the people of the land listened to the words of the Lord which He spoke through Jeremiah the prophet.
3 Yet King Zedekiah sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah, and the priest Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, to Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “Please pray to the Lord our God in our behalf.” 4 Now Jeremiah was still coming and going among the people, for they had not yet put him in prison. 5 Meanwhile, Pharaoh’s army had set out from Egypt; and when the Chaldeans who had been besieging Jerusalem heard the report about them, they withdrew from Jerusalem.
6 Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, saying, 7 “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel says: ‘This is what you are to say to the king of Judah, who sent you to Me to inquire of Me: “Behold, Pharaoh’s army, which has come out to help you, is going to return to its own land of Egypt. 8 Then the Chaldeans will return and fight against this city, and they will capture it and burn it with fire.”’ 9 This is what the Lord says: ‘Do not deceive yourselves, saying, “The Chaldeans will certainly go away from us,” for they will not go. 10 For even if you had defeated the entire army of Chaldeans who were fighting against you, and there were only wounded men left among them, each man in his tent, they would rise up and burn this city with fire.’”
SUMMARY
The new King of Judah, Zedekiah or his servants are not followers of God's words spoken through Jeremiah. Yet, the king looks for Jeremiah to pray for him when he needs to keep his kingdom. knowing his intention and mind, God speaks to Zedekiah that he is not following God's words wholeheartedly and what he would see as victory for now will be gone and his kingdom will be destroyed.
REFLECTION
What King Zedekiah is doing is not unusual to me. It makes me reflect on what I value the most when things are going well vs. when things are not going so well, according to my plan. I know the importance of prayer and sole dependence on God, but do I sometimes rely on my own feelings instead of wholeheartedly depending on prayers? Do I often try to solve things on my own?
APPLICATION
I need to remember the power of prayer. I have been lacking in prayer these days because of my workload but I need to at least commit 10 minutes with God in solitude. I need to meditate and just connect with Him, to feel His presence in my life everyday.
PRAYER
God, I pray that I go back to the secret place to meet you and lift you from my prayer. I can't do everything on my own and I need your help Lord. Amen.
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