Lessons on Zedekiah (2)—The Fear of Man Brings a Snare - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2025

The LORD is near - Thursday, September 26, 2024
by Jacob Redekop, Brian Reynolds, John van Dijk, Eugene P. Vedder Jr

Details

Lessons on Zedekiah (2)—The Fear of Man Brings a Snare

Please, obey the voice of the Lord which I speak to you. So it shall be well with you, and your soul shall live.
Jeremiah 38:20 NKJV

Lessons on Zedekiah (2)—The Fear of Man Brings a Snare
During the short relief of Jerusalem’s siege by the Chaldeans (the Babylonians), Jeremiah had been falsely accused of wanting to surrender to the Chaldeans and was put into prison. Not long after, the siege of the city continued. Shortly before the capture of Jerusalem, Zedekiah meets with Jeremiah to hear the word of the Lord. He receives a strong, clear, and personal message: if he surrenders, all will be well for him. Unfortunately, Zedekiah was afraid of being mistreated by the Jews who had already surrendered to the Chaldeans. Although he was certainly troubled by Jeremiah’s words and would have liked to surrender, he did not have the strength to do the right thing, despite Jeremiah’s reassuring words from the Lord (Jer. 38:20). But as Jeremiah prophesied, it was said of Zedekiah, “Your close friends have set upon you and prevailed against you” (v. 22). Yes, those who were around him, his friends and advisors, these were the ones who really ruled Zedekiah because he feared men. And what a loss it was for him! Unable to decide for himself to do that which is right, the very thing he feared—being mistreated—happened to him: the king of Babylon “put out the eyes of Zedekiah; and … bound him in bronze fetters, took him to Babylon, and put him in prison till the day of his death” (52:11).

How many are there today who, because of the fear of men, will not turn to Christ to be saved, and will lose their life in the end. Do not be among them! Come to the Lord for salvation! “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe” (Prov. 29:25). God’s Word is ever true, and God is faithful to His Word. And as believers, let us not fall in the snare of the fear of man too, but be faithful to God’s Word and walk in it. It is our safety.

-- Alexandre Leclerc

More From Our Daily Devotional Archives

The LORD is near
for Monday, December 2, 2013
by Jacob Redekop, Brian Reynolds, John van Dijk, Eugene P. Vedder Jr

A WORD ON CLEAVING TO THE LORD(1)

He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord
(Acts 11:23)
A WORD ON CLEAVING TO THE LORD(1)

Barnabas exhorted the new believers that they should cleave to the Lord. Some are allowed to have a long season of joy on first believing, but God knows our...More

Open Heavens
for Sunday, December 8, 2013
by Pastor E.A Adeboye

OF KEYS AND DOORS

Every apartment or compartment with a lock has its key. It takes a key to open the gate of a house and several keys to enter the house its rooms. If you have fridge, car or wardrobe, you will equally have their keys. From the foregoing therefore, it is apparent that several good things with value have their...More

Open Heavens
for Sunday, December 15, 2013
by Pastor E.A Adeboye

APPLY THE KEY

Every blessing worth its salt requires a key without which the seeker cannot access it. While some people have never experienced open doors, others once did, but the doors hitherto opened to them have been shut. In

Bible in one year:
Psalm 82-84

Key...More

The Word for today
for Saturday, January 25, 2014
by Bob and Debby Gass

Get Ready To Move (2)

I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised'
Joshua 1:3 NIV

Can you imagine how Joshua felt stepping into Moses' shoes? He needed assurance, so God told him: 1) I will give you every place where you set your foot.' In other words, just step out in faith and claim it....More