dabbling

Dabbling in the Word of God.

Searching for a verse that fits. And serves my agenda. It happens.

Comfort levels sometimes dictate this. Looking for a way to stay. Or leave.

Wanting His Word to match my ways. My methods. 

And back me up.

King Zedekiah

King Zedekiah doesn’t obey the words of the Lord that He speaks through the prophet. Jeremiah (Jeremiah 37:2).

Yet, he asks the prophet to pray for him. Then sends for him, privately. Asking, “Is there a word from the Lord?” (37:17).

Zedekiah’s heart is not wholly devoted to the Lord or His Word. Yet he’s interested. Knows God can save. 

So he’s dabbling.

But never goes all in. Never fully repents and follows.

Final word

In a final meeting with Jeremiah, the king again wants to hear the truth.  

In fact, he says, “…don’t hide anything from me” (Jeremiah 38:14).

And Jeremiah obliges. Shoots straight. Tells him if he obeys the Lord, he can live. 

The consequences of disobedience? Devastating.

Dabbling

But Zedekiah is just dabbling. Perhaps hoping the Word of the Lord will come out differently this time around. 

It doesn’t. 

He hears the way of escape. To stay and surrender to the enemy. But that’s not the message he’s looking for. 

So he tries to escape on his own terms. Leaving the city at night.

And the Word of the Lord— 

all that Jeremiah said— 

comes true.

The Word of God

The Word of God is not made for dabbling here and there.  Picking and choosing. 

I can’t just peruse it to find verses that confirm my opinion. And conform to my plans.

The Word reveals the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And provides wisdom for the way ahead. 

“For him who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

What about you?

Have you ever found yourself looking for a verse to justify your actions or agenda? 

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Disregard for Truth – Paths and prophets – The way of life – Divided heart – Wholehearted devotion – Heart cry –