In the last chapter we read, chapter 38, Jeremiah gave King Zedekiah some great advice. He told him, “Please obey the Lord by doing what I have been telling you. Then all will go well with you….”

I wonder how many Christians are living lives that they could say, “All is well with me”. How many shortchange themselves by not doing all they can to obey the Lord.

To be properly fed, spiritually speaking, we need the Word of God, which is absolutely essential. But there is something else. Jesus put it this way, “My food is to do the will do the one who sent me…” which goes quite well with the advice Jeremiah gave Zedekiah.

God speaks to us through His Word. And we must be careful to do what He tells us.

You say, “Steve, we’re in the age of grace. I don’t have to try all that hard. If I blow it, I’ll be forgiven.” That’s true. You will. But don’t you want to have a thriving Christian life? Don’t you want to grow and become the strong, victorious Christian that God so desperately wants you to be? If Jesus’ food was to do the will of the Father, don’t you think we would benefit from it, too?

Now, I’m not talking about a legalistic adherence to the law, but a vibrant, loving relationship of obedience to the God who loves you and gave His Son for you. I’ve used this example before, but I think it’s a good one. Because I love my wife, the the Lovely Lady LeeAnn, I joyfully do things that will make her happy. If she hints that something will make her life easier or happier, if humanly possible, I make that thing happen. Not because it’s a requirement, but because I love her.

That’s how we should view obeying God.

Oh, and by the way, when I successfully make LeeAnn happy, guess how that affects my life? Yep. Things go well in the home.

And when we obey God with the same enthusiasm and joy, things go well with us.