Jeremiah 35:19: “therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not lack a man to stand before Me forever.’”

November 3rd, 2024 by Pastor Ed in devotional

God blessed the descendants of a man named Rechab because his family had faithfully continued, through many generations, to hold fast to his commandments. 1 Chronicles 2:55 says that they were the Kenites, the family of Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law. They lived a nomadic, herdsmen life in tents, and had abstained from wine for many generations. Because of the Babylonian invasion, they were driven out of the countryside and into Jerusalem to take refuge. Jeremiah used their loyalty to their ancestor’s commands as an object lesson against the local Jews unfaithfulness in following God’s commands. Simple obedience was the point Jeremiah was making.

Shortly after winning the World Championship, Dallas quarterback Roger Staubach was interviewed. They asked him who called the plays during the game. Staubach admitted that he didn’t call his own signals, Coach Ladnry sent in every play, and that it had originally been a big problem for him. Landry told Saubach when to pass and when to run, and Staubach was only allowed to change the plays in emergency situations (and he had better be right!). Even though he considered his coach to be a football-strategy genius, Staubach’s personal pride made him want to be the one running his team. “However,” he said, “I faced up to the issue of obedience. Once I learned to obey, there was harmony, fulfillment, and victory.”

Each and every one of us must choose a path to follow in life, and there are really only 2 to choose from. One is marked: Obedience to God. The other is simply marked: Self.

“Thank You, LORD, that You are our guide on this pilgrimage and expedition as we choose to follow Your Spirit again this day.”