“Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from their evil ways. Then I will relent and not inflict on them the disaster I was planning because of the evil they have done.” Jeremiah 26:3 NIV
God is all knowing. He knows the outcome to the choices we can make, but He still gives us the ability to choose. Although we are sinners at heart, God is patient with us, even in our disobedience, in hopes that we will heed His voice and turn from our evil ways.
“As for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever you think is good and right.” Jeremiah 26:14 NIV
Perhaps this verse stood out to me because of a recent sermon that we heard from our pastor who spoke on persecution. Even though Jeremiah was previously threatened by the Israelites for prophesying against them, he did not choose to focus on the pain that they might inflict on him, but rather chose to focus on God, His power, and His instructions.
This God, the Creator of all, desires to have a relationship with us. May we turn away from our evil ways. May we seek Him. May we repent. And may we obey His commands.
Lock Your Wings 
This stood out for me: “But did King Hezekiah and the people kill him for saying this? No, they turned from their sins and worshiped the Lord. They begged him for mercy. Then the Lord changed his mind about the terrible disaster he had pronounced against them. So we are about to do ourselves great harm.””
Jeremiah 26:19 NLT
We often know what to do but sometimes we fail to do it. Past behaviour can predict future action. In this case, Hezekiah turned from evil and worshiped God. That’s exactly what Jeremiah was preaching. Could worship turn God’s anger away from the deserved punishment? Jeremiah said it could and history said it would but would they listen and obey?
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