Dear New Life,

I came across an interesting passage in Jeremiah this past week. It takes place just after the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and left only a small remnant of people behind. The governor got assassinated and the people are worried that Babylon will be upset and come to destroy them. So they approach the prophet Jeremiah and say,

"Pray that the Lord your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do." (Jeremiah 42:3, NIV)

The people went on to say,

“May the Lord be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act in accordance with everything the Lord your God sends you to tell us. Whether it is favorable or unfavorable, we will obey the Lord our God, to whom we are sending you, so that it will go well with us, for we will obey the Lord our God.” (Jeremiah 42:5-6, NIV)

Jeremiah gives them an answer from God. They are instructed to stay in Jerusalem and to trust that God will protect them. But in their arrogance, the people denounce Jeremiah as a liar and flee to Egypt ... whereupon many bad things happen to them.

At first, this petition and their commitment to obey God no matter what comes across as beautiful, powerful, and even inspirational. But when the thing God called them to didn't sit well with them, they choose their own path.

I can't help but apply this to my own life and walk with God. Am I willing to trust God even when the path He's put me on is hard?

How about you? Will you trust God even when you don't like the path He has for you?

Joel VanderSchel, on Behalf of the Elder and Minister Team