October 24

Jeremiah 44:24-47:7; 2 Timothy 2:22-3:17; Psalm 94:1-23; Proverbs 26:6-8

God allows us the freedom to make decisions for our lives even if those decisions are against His will for us. This confuses people because as powerful as God is, He has preserved humanity’s ability to choose its own way. Why would God do this?

The only way real love can be offered is freely. It is unquestionable that God loves us unconditionally. God wants that same love reciprocated to Him. Real, committed love cannot be coerced. It is a choice from the heart.

Israel was exiled in a foreign land. It was their persistent disobedience that landed them there. Instead of having a repentant heart, they doubled down on the disobedience and started to worship a pagan god, “The Queen of Heaven.” Even though God knew it was futile, He allowed it. Israel had a heart-choice to make and they choose another god. God gave us free will so that we would have the ability to choose Him from our heart.

That’s all God wants from us. He wants us to choose Him! There are choices all around us. There are options around us but the best one is God. But if we choose to ignore God and live our lives by another standard, as much as it breaks God’s heart, He will allow it. What brings joy to God is when we say to Him, “I choose You over all other options. You are my God.”

Tomorrow’s Reading:  Jeremiah 48:1-49:22; 2 Timothy 4:1-22; Psalm 95:1-96:13; Proverbs 26:9-12