https://odb.org/2023/12/03/zedekiahs-dilemma
The LORD told King Zedekiah in Jeremiah 38 to surrender to the Babylonians, and he and his household would be spared, and Jerusalem and the Temple would not be burned down. But he was afraid that those in Judah who were captured earlier and were then already in Babylon would mistreat him. The truth was staring him in the face, and yet he refused to listen to the voice of God as conveyed through the prophet Jeremiah. Instead, he had Jeremiah imprisoned. Ironically, Zedekiah, who was the last king of Judah, was enthroned by Nebuchadnezzar, meaning to say that he was a proxy of Babylon who had turned against the Babylonians. In the end, they killed his sons, took his wives and other children, blinded him, and destroyed the Temple and Jerusalem.
We may or may not have the privilege of the truth speaking to us through God’s voice, but sometimes we ignore the truth even when it is staring at us as clear as night and day. If, for example, we have health issues, best we take heed of the doctor’s advice. Medication may help us now, but if we continue to rely only on medicine, we will face other issues 20 years from now. Or some organisations whose business model may have been overtaken by time. From 4,500 staff strength, they may need to trim down to 2,500, failing which their revenues will only be able to pay their costs and salaries.
The truth is real and may have devastating effects. Ignoring it will not make the implications go away. Instead, we may hasten our demise. Face it and deal with our issues, and we will live to fulfil God’s purposes in our lives. The sooner we face the truth, the more time we will have to live for God. The time we have left is all we can offer, although we know He deserves more. Don’t make it even less.
Ronnie's Thoughts 