Actions Are Louder Than Words - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2026

Pray for us to the Lord your God, for all this remnant (since we are left but a few of many, as you can see), that the Lord your God may show us the way in which we should walk and the thing we should do.
Jeremiah 42:2-3

Actions Are Louder Than Words
God always provides guidance for His people in a day of confusion. Isaiah and Jeremiah prophesied in such times, yet the Lord says in Isaiah, "Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it'" (Isa. 30:21). In Jeremiah, we see the same faithful promise: "Thus says the Lord: ‘Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls'" (Jer. 6:16). The Lord said "ask," and they asked, but it said a great deal about their state when, instead of saying "the Lord our God," they said to Jeremiah, "the Lord your God."

There was an air of sincerity in their request. With the breakdown of godliness, and the scattering of Israel, nothing was more consequential than to seek the guidance of God. Jeremiah's response was admirable. He reminded them of their relationship with God: "I will pray to the Lord your God whatever the Lord answers you, I will declare it to you. I will keep nothing back from you" (42:4). Compare Paul's words to the elders of Ephesus: "I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you" (Acts 20:20).

After ten days the answer came: "If you will still remain in this land, then I will build you and not pull you down, and I will plant you and not pluck you up" (Jer. 42:10). Sadly, they had already made up their minds to go down to Egypt, before asking Jeremiah to pray for them. There are many paths, and many things that we can do; but His presence, protection, and mercy are assured to those who abide in "the land," and in God's will.

Richard A. Barnett