Session 21

Go to God with the good and the bad

From Jeremiah: A 33-Day Devotional

Your phone rings. It’s a friend you haven’t heard from in months. Usually, you’re excited to talk to her, but not this time.

You remember when you talked to each other frequently because you were close friends, but now it seems like the only reason she calls anymore is when she wants something from you or when times get tough.

Whether it’s a friend, family member, or a son or daughter, it’s saddening. Then we realize: What if that’s what God feels like when we treat Him this way?

During King Nebuchadnezzar’s reign over Babylon, Zedekiah was the king of Judah. Though the prophet, Jeremiah, repeatedly to pointed Zedekiah to God and His ways, Zedekiah wanted nothing to do with God.

It’s not until Nebuchadnezzar launched an attack on Judah that Zedekiah finally calls out for God’s help. However, Jeremiah says unless people surrender to Nebuchadnezzar, they’ll be destroyed. Zedekiah faces a moment of desperation. Will he follow God’s plan to preserve the people or try to do things his own way?

We may think we know what’s best for our own lives and ignore God when things are going well. But when something goes bad and out of control, we finally call out to Him.

God wants to hear from us on the good days and the bad days. He doesn’t want to be our “get out of jail free” card; He wants a relationship with us. Because of Jesus, we can go to God with our joys and our struggles. And when we listen to Him and do what He says, we’re always better off than if we try things our own way.

Reflect:

• Are you more likely to talk with God in the good times or bad times? Why?
• What’s one area of your life where you have been doing things your way rather than submitting to God’s ways?
• What’s one next step you can take to give this area of your life to God?