Today is Monday, September 8, 2025. We just wrapped up an incredible Cowboy Church weekend—four services packed with worship, music, and hungry hearts ready for God’s Word. Today, Jeremiah steps back onto the stage of history. He lived during the same time as Ezekiel, right in the thick of Babylon’s captivity. The people prayed for God’s guidance, even promised obedience … until His instructions required change. Then they did what many of us do: they “revised their obedience.” Read on …
Today's Reading:
Jeremiah 42,43,44; Psalms 48; Revelation 13
Scripture
“If you stay in the land of Judah, the Lord will build you up and not tear you down… But if you say, “No, we will go and live in Egypt,” then the sword you fear will overtake you there and the famine you dread will follow you into Egypt.’ … But all the army officers and all the people disobeyed the Lord’s command to stay in the land of Judah.” — (Jeremiah 42:9-10; 43:4)
Observation
At first, the leaders and people came to Jeremiah with promises that sounded sincere: “We’ll do whatever God says.” But beneath the pious words was a hidden agenda. They weren’t seeking guidance—they were fishing for permission. They wanted God to rubber-stamp their plans, not redirect them. When His counsel clashed with their desires, they ignored Him, blamed the messenger, and pressed ahead with their own way. In short—they didn’t want to change. They wanted God to change.
Application
I wonder how often I’ve prayed, “Lord, whatever You say, I’ll do,” only to find myself re-negotiating when His Word ran against my preferences. My natural bent is to adjust His will to fit mine—revising my obedience rather than surrendering my will.
Don’t get me wrong. There are times I need to pivot and adjust my approach to fit specific conditions. However, my pivot must always be “towards” His will, not away from it.
Instead of revising my obedience, I need to write down what He instructed and anchor my heart to it. Then, I must hold myself accountable—especially when emotions or outside voices protest. True obedience isn’t randomly flexible.
It remains faithful.
Prayer
Father, keep me steady, even when Your will runs crosscurrent to mine. Don’t let me redefine obedience to suit my desires. Keep me humble, pliable, and willing to be shaped. May my obedience be not revised, but real. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
-Wayne Cordeiro
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