Devotionals

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... Indeed, the hand of the leaders and rulers has been foremost in this trespass ...
Ezra 9:2

There is something about human nature that follows the model of sin much easier than the model of godliness. God created man with a ‘follow’ mode. You see it even in the earliest footprints of Eden. Eve didn’t just pass by the tree one day and randomly reach thoughtlessly for the fruit because stomach pangs sent a ‘hunger’ message to her brain. Indeed, Eve hungered, but it reflected a hunger born elsewhere. A hunger stirred by the follow mode ... by her desire, in ready conflict with the Word ... in ready conflict with the One in Whom she enjoyed Eden in the cool of the evening.

Freedom of choice, a blessing and a bane, remains dependent on that inbuilt follow mode.

People of a nation are no different. We see it reflected here in Ezra’s words. The pages of history tremble with what happens when leaders of a country, a civilization, turn deafened ears to the Voice we were created to follow. Heaven mourns. Man stands covered in shame. This past century alone bears out the frightful evidence of such following.

Man’s follow mode will never be found in the off position. Following makes up the fabric of our day, every day. The only question remains follow what ... follow who?

Ezra grieved. Those who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered in grief. Why? Because the leaders and rulers had led the people straight into godlessness.

Yes, man is wired to follow, it’s an inevitability, but the follow mode doesn’t eradicate choice. Eve chose. Abel chose. Cain chose. Israel’s leaders chose. The people chose. You ... and I ... choose.

Just as our follow-mode daily runs in high-geared operation, we are never left with a single choice, which would be no choice. God always speaks. And we, we always choose.

True, following God’s voice often isn’t easy, or temporally pleasant, or from the world’s perspective blessing-filled. Scripture overflows with the times God called forth ... and Jonah ran, Jeremiah wept, and Hosea didn’t look forward to the mud pit. But, ultimately, they each chose obedience to their Creator rather than obedience to the creation’s twisted desire. Neither, I’m sure, did Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego look for the heat to be turned up. But they followed God in the midst of difficult obedience, and walked in His presence in the midst of flames ... flames they discovered couldn’t burn them.





Almighty God, Eternal grace and love, daily stir up within this heart of mine a reminder that my own ‘follow-mode’ sits in the activated position. That I can never point to another to justify my choices. Grant me abiding understanding that no one can lead me where I am not willing to follow. That is why my obedience to Your voice rises a sweet fragrance to Your throne, a blessing to Your heart. Thank You, Lord, for Jesus, for His sacrifice to become like me, walking this same sod. For His example of unwavering obedience to You that grows sweeter to this heart each day. By Your mercy may I abide in Him daily, and He in me, and through a willingness to be conformed daily to His image, may I only chose to follow You.




© 14 June 2005
DeAnna L. Brooks

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