FEAR NOT< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>Jeremiah 42

Obey the word of God by receiving it and releasing it into your life. After releasing the word into your life, then you should be living in the word. The word can be pleasing or displeasing at the time you receive it, but it will not mistreat you in anyway. If you will allow the word, then the world will have no part of you. When the Jews who were left behind after the captivity began to seek for a means of avoiding the challenges from the Chaldeans opposition, Jeremiah was consulted for inquiring from God. ÒNow all the captains of the forces, Johanan the son of Kareah, Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people, from the least to the greatest, came near 2 and said to Jeremiah the prophet, ÔPlease, let our petition be acceptable to you, and pray for us to the LORD your God, for all this remnant (since we are left but a few of many, as you can see), 3 that the LORD your God may show us the way in which we should walk and the thing we should do.Ó(Jeremiah 42:1-3) The Jews who were remaining were referred to as the remnant Jews. They wanted a word from God so they asked Jeremiah for help. One thing is to want to hear from Him and another is to be willing to receive whatever He says. God is willing to reveal His way to His children, but another thing is whether or not you are ready to accept what His word of direction is saying? The Jews promised Jeremiah before inquiring from God, ÒWhether it is pleasing or displeasing, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God to whom we send you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.Ó (Jeremiah 42:6) Jeremiah went before God and was able to receive a message for the Jews. The message for them was not to run and dwell in Egypt because they had set their faces to run to Egypt as a safe dwelling ground. God promised in Jeremiah 42:11-12, ÒDo not be afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom you are afraid; do not be afraid of him,Ó says the LORD,Ó Ôfor I am with you, to save you and deliver you from his hand. 12 And I will show you mercy, that he may have mercy on you and cause you to return to your own land.Ó The Jews did not listen to the message for them. The point here is that they were afraid and it is clear from their case that to be afraid is to lose the presence of God that will deliver and show mercy. The Jews could not remain in the land just as God had sent Jeremiah to them. They were afraid and they eventually moved to Egypt. The Jews lost their ground and they could not retain the presence of God and as a result, they could not retain life. The remnant Jews disobeyed the Word of God. Egypt could not prevent them from dying by sword, by famine and pestilence. Obey His word and you will live and not die.