Daily Devotional

Zedekiah's relationship with Jeremiah reminded me of the relationship Herod the Tetrarch had with John the Baptist that Pastor Brian spoke about in a recent sermon. Herod was intrigued with John the Baptist, actually seemed to want to keep him in prison longer, but pridefully cared more about his persona than finding out the truth.

The more I thought about it the more I recalled other relationships like it in the Bible. There was Paul and Felix the governor as well as Porcius Festus, who, although they didn't have anything against him, kept Paul in prison because they were intrigued by him and wanted to please the people.

Then of course there was Jesus and Pontius Pilate who didn't have anything against Him, but was intrigued by Jesus, asking him questions, but still caring more about what the people thought, so he handed Him over to be crucified.

Intrigue doesn't save anyone, but it can lead to salvation if one has the heart of a true seeker. Which again takes me to scripture. It reminds me of the woman at the well. Jesus explained to her that "true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him." This woman's intrigue led to her salvation because she allowed her questions to go further than just getting answers. She didn't stubbornly try to hide it when He let her see He knew the truth about herself, but let it lead to belief in who He said He was.

You know how sometimes you watch a movie and just when it gets to where you know everything is going to turn out great they end the movie without letting you see how the happy ending plays out? I love that God lets us see the happy ending of the woman at the well. Her faith is proved in the way she testifies to the people in her city…"And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified…And many more believed because of His own word…Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world." (John 4)

Even as believers we can just listen with intrigue but not allow the Word of God to change our behavior. We can get wrapped up in what scripture says, but not let it take root and change how we live. Like Colossians 2:6–7 says, "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving." I can think of one thing the Lord is speaking to me about in my life right now that He wants to root and establish in faith. Can you think of something? The great thing is that He will walk beside us as we work out our salvation:)

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