Practicing What You Preach

I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?

Jeremiah 32:27

Tucked in the middle of the book of Jeremiah is a marvelous story of faith. Jeremiah repeatedly preached God’s word: Judah’s rejection of God would lead to their defeat by the nation of Babylon. He proclaimed Zedekiah, Judah’s king, would be taken captive, and Jerusalem would be destroyed. But He also preached God’s promise of future freedom and restoration of Judah. At the opening of chapter 32, the army of Nebuchadnezzar was besieging Jerusalem. The final stage of defeat had begun.

Zedekiah was infuriated by Jeremiah’s message of defeat and had Jeremiah confined in the palace courtyard. While there, God’s word came to Jeremiah. His cousin would come, asking him to buy his field at Anathoth. Jeremiah was to buy it. 

What strange instructions from God! The Babylonians had already captured that field. Jeremiah would never benefit from it. Yet, he obeyed God. He paid for the land and signed and sealed the deed before everyone present. He then commanded the deed be kept in a clay jar so it would last a long time. 

What can we learn from Jeremiah? While confined with no way of escape, Jeremiah listened to God. Perhaps he didn’t understand God’s leading, but he obeyed with no hesitation. He practiced what he preached to all around him. By his actions, he declared faith in God’s promise of Judah’s future restoration. His obedience led to open praise of God. (Jeremiah 32: 17-25)

Perhaps today you are trapped in a situation with no way of escape. What is God saying to you through His Word, and are you obeying? Times of suffering are opportunities to demonstrate your faith and God’s greatness. How are you demonstrating faith in God’s Word to those around you? Are you practicing what you’ve preached and therefore glorifying God? 

Lord, by my actions help me demonstrate to all that Your Word is true and will be fulfilled. Use me to show others that nothing is too hard for You.

Jan Burkhart