Key Passage: Jeremiah 7: 21-23

Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: "Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices and eat meat. For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices. But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.’”

Every kingdom demands obedience from its subjects; and anyone who would not obey the laws of the kingdom is regarded as an enemy. Obedience is the first law of the Kingdom of God. It is the sign of true piety. No one could truly claim to belong to God when he does not obey Him.

At a time of national backsliding, God used Jeremiah to call the people of Israel back to Him, but they were adamant. They came to the temple to worship, and offered sacrifices to God, but would not repent and turn away from their evil ways (Jer 7:5-11). God therefore turned away from them and they were devastated by their enemies. And Jeremiah’s message to them was clear and succinct, “Your sacrifice is of no use if you will not obey God”. He reminded them that when their fathers left Egypt for the Promised Land, God demanded obedience first before speaking about sacrifice. He said to them, “You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation’” (Ex 19:3-6). That was the basis of His relationship with them; and any sacrifice that would not be preceded by it was a waste.

No one can mock God. If any person cannot obey God, then he does not belong to Him. Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (Matt 7:21). There are people today who call themselves Christians but who commit fornication, tell lies, give or receive bribe or indulge in one sin or the other. They attend church services, bible studies and prayer meetings; and sing in the choir, pay tithes and give fat offerings; but would not repent and turn away from their sinful ways. Such people are just wasting their time and resources. Their sacrifices are abominable to God.

God is calling you to search your heart and find out if there are idols or sins in your life. Repent and turn away from them all and ask Him for forgiveness. He will surely show you mercy and restore your life.

Pray: : Lord, I am deeply sorry from my sins and I repent from them. I commit myself to always obey You. May my sacrifices be delightful to You and may You pour Your blessings upon me.

Written by – Evangelist Oguazi Onyemobi