A Nation That Does Not Obey the Voice of the Lord
Jeremiah • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 11 viewsNotes
Transcript
**Title:** *A Nation That Does Not Obey the Voice of the Lord*
**Text:** Jeremiah 7:28 (NKJV)
*"So you shall say to them, 'This is a nation that does not obey the voice of the LORD their God nor receive correction. Truth has perished and has been cut off from their mouth.'"*
### Introduction:
The words of Jeremiah 7:28 are a lament over a nation that has turned away from God. The prophet Jeremiah speaks to the people of Judah, who had fallen into sin and idolatry. The message is stark and urgent: they had become a people who neither obeyed God's voice nor accepted His correction. In this verse, we see a reflection of a society that has lost its way, where truth no longer has a place.
Today, this message is not just for ancient Israel; it is relevant for our times. It serves as a sobering warning to any nation or individual who rejects God's voice. Let us explore this passage and understand what God is saying to us through it.
### 1. **A Nation That Does Not Obey the Voice of the Lord**
Jeremiah describes the people as a nation that "does not obey the voice of the LORD their God." Throughout Scripture, God's voice represents His guidance, commands, and instructions for righteous living. Obedience to God's voice is a sign of relationship and reverence for Him.
#### **a. The Consequences of Disobedience**
- Disobedience to God's voice leads to spiritual decline. The Israelites had been given the law and the prophets, but they chose to ignore God's commands.
- In our modern context, we see similar patterns. When a society disregards God's Word, moral decay sets in. We witness confusion, division, and a loss of purpose.
- **Illustration:** Think of a child who ignores the warnings of a parent about touching a hot stove. Despite the warning, the child touches it and gets burned. In the same way, when we ignore God’s voice, we face the painful consequences of our choices.
#### **b. The Importance of Hearing God's Voice**
- **John 10:27 (NKJV):** *"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me."* Jesus emphasized the importance of hearing His voice and following Him. True discipleship requires us to listen and obey.
- Hearing God's voice means spending time in His Word, prayer, and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us. It requires humility and a heart willing to submit to God's will.
### 2. **Nor Receive Correction**
Jeremiah points out that not only did the nation refuse to obey God's voice, but they also rejected correction.
#### **a. The Role of Correction in Spiritual Growth**
- Correction is a form of love. **Proverbs 3:12 (NKJV):** *"For whom the LORD loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights."* God corrects us because He loves us and wants us to grow in holiness.
- When we reject correction, we close ourselves off from God's transformative power. It is like a sick person refusing to take the medicine prescribed by the doctor.
#### **b. The Danger of a Hardened Heart**
- The people of Judah had hardened their hearts against God’s correction. Their pride and stubbornness prevented them from repenting and turning back to God.
- **Illustration:** Pharaoh in the book of Exodus is a classic example. Despite numerous warnings and signs from God, he continually hardened his heart until it led to his downfall.
- A heart that resists correction becomes callous, making it difficult for God's truth to penetrate.
### 3. **Truth Has Perished**
The most chilling part of this verse is the declaration that "truth has perished and has been cut off from their mouth." When a nation turns away from God, it loses its grip on truth.
#### **a. The Erosion of Truth in Society**
- We live in a time where truth is often seen as relative. The concept of absolute truth is rejected, and everyone is encouraged to live according to "their own truth."
- This cultural shift mirrors the condition of Judah during Jeremiah's time. Without a standard of truth rooted in God's Word, society becomes unstable, and moral confusion reigns.
#### **b. The Consequences of Losing Truth**
- When truth perishes, justice fails. When there is no standard of right and wrong, people do what is right in their own eyes, leading to chaos and destruction.
- **Illustration:** Imagine a compass that no longer points north. It becomes useless for navigation. Similarly, when God's truth is abandoned, people lose their sense of direction in life.
### 4. **The Call to Return to God**
Jeremiah's message was not just a condemnation but an invitation to repentance. God, in His mercy, was calling the people back to Himself.
#### **a. The Need for Repentance**
- Repentance involves a change of mind and heart. It is turning away from sin and turning back to God. **2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV):** *"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."*
- God is always ready to forgive those who come to Him with a contrite heart.
#### **b. A Call to Obedience and Truth**
- As believers, we are called to be people of truth. Jesus said, *"I am the way, the truth, and the life."* (John 14:6). Our lives should reflect His truth in a world filled with deception.
- We must listen to God's voice, receive His correction, and uphold His truth in our daily lives.
### **Conclusion:**
The message of Jeremiah 7:28 is as relevant today as it was in ancient times. We are called to be a people who obey the voice of the Lord, who receive His correction, and who live by His truth. The warning is clear: when a nation or individual turns away from God, the consequences are dire. But there is hope. God's mercy is still available for those who repent and seek His face.
Let us examine our hearts today. Are we listening to God's voice, or are we ignoring His call? Are we open to His correction, or have we hardened our hearts? Let us pray that God will soften our hearts, that we may be receptive to His voice and walk in His truth.
**Prayer:**
Heavenly Father, we come before You, acknowledging our need for Your guidance and correction. Forgive us for the times we have ignored Your voice and rejected Your truth. Help us to be a people who listen to You, who receive Your correction with humility, and who live by the truth of Your Word. We ask for Your mercy and grace to turn our hearts back to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
