Friday's Devotion: False Freedom

“If you refuse to obey the LORD your God, and if you say, ‘We will not stay here; instead, we will go to Egypt where we will be free from war, the call to arms, and hunger – Jeremiah 42:13-14 NLT

God tried to warn His people. They were tempted to flee to Egypt, but He wanted them to “stay here in this land” and not run away.

He wanted them to have faith to believe His promises that He would take care of them. He didn’t want them to “fear the king of Babylon,” but urged them to remember that “I am with you and will save you and rescue you from his power.”

The Lord asked them to obey His warnings rather than follow the empty promises of men and governments. He specifically told them that if they decided to go to Egypt, they would experience everything they had feared.

Instead of finding answers and hope, and the things that seemed so inviting, their decision would lead to disaster. They would find not freedom, but slavery.

But God’s people chose to ignore His warning. In their minds, the promises of life in Egypt would answer all their problems. Yet they would soon come to regret their decision.

As these Israelites learned, the world is filled with ideas that seem inviting, promises that seem guaranteed to work. When we listen to these ideas, it can be easy to be tempted and swayed.

But all the while God reminds us that we’ll only find real answers if we’re devoted to His Word and His commandments (Psalm 119:45, John 8:31-32). As we make Jesus our Lord and commit ourselves to following Him, we find ourselves being led by the Spirit and “wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17).

Today, don’t be tempted by false and misleading promises in the world. Renew your faith in God. Obey Him. Trust Him. Follow Jesus with your whole heart!

Today's Inspirational Prayer:
Father, give me discernment to recognize false promises. Help me to stand on Your Word.
I trust my life to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.