Unexpected Expectations

And when Jeremiah finished speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak to all the people, the priests and the prophets and all the people seized him, saying, "You must die!"

 

Jeremiah 26:8

 

 

Jeremiah was faithful to do exactly as the Lord had commanded. If we look to the previous in  Jeremiah 26:2 we see that he was warned to speak to the people all that was commanded of him and "do not to omit a word" (See Jeremiah 26:2b). And for his obedience, there was no love offering taken, there were no gifts of appreciation or words of affirmation and encouragement, there were only death threats that awaited him.

 

But notice how Jeremiah chose to respond: "Amend your ways and your deeds and obey the voice of the Lord, your God... but as for me, behold, I am in your hands; do with me as is good and right in your sight." (Jeremiah 26:13-14). His faith wasn't shattered and his conviction to follow God fully never wavered.

 

Sometimes following faithfully the ways of God will produce results we weren't exactly expecting.

What should be our response when our obedience meets up with unexpected expectations or when the results of our obedience fail to live up to what we expected—change our expectations.  Our motivation to move in obedience with what the Lord has asked of us—whether in our work, our relationships, or in our finances—should never be based on selfish expectations.

 

Obedience must be generated out of a sincere desire to honor God for who He is, rather than what we want. When our wants overshadow our willingness to obey, it is a one way ticket to the land of frustration. Our actions of obedience must be based upon what He said, without omitting a word, regardless of the results.