In Jeremiah 36, we’re taken inside the king’s winter apartment where we see him seated in front of a fire. With him are his officials. The king has sent Jehudi to get a scroll which contains the words God has spoken through Jeremiah. Jehudi brings the scroll and begins to read. Verses 23 and 24 say:

Whenever Jehudi had read three or four columns of the scroll, the king cut them off with a scribe’s knife and threw them into the firepot, until the entire scroll was burned in the fire. The king and all his attendants who heard all these words showed no fear, nor did they tear their clothes.

The king had no respect for God and His words. No fear. No trembling. No awe.

I find it a little too easy to think, “I’d never do that. I’d never arrogantly toss God’s message into the fire.”

Hold on though. Would I not?

Is failing to read His word really any different? And how is refusing to obey Him all that much different than burning His word in a fire?

God has revealed Himself to us through the Bible. Are we reading it? Do we respect it? More importantly–do we obey it?

God’s word is life to us. His commands are for our protection and provision. When we choose not to obey it, it’s really no different than cutting it up and throwing it in the fire.

If your hunger and desire to know and obey His word is lacking, then let’s pray:

Lord, You have said I am blessed when I obey You and when I seek You wholeheartedly. You have said I can keep my way pure by living according to Your word. I know Your law is perfect–reviving my soul. Everything You say is trustworthy. Your words are sure and true. They are more precious than gold. They are sweeter than honey. Your words both warn and bring reward.

And yet, I confess that I do not obey You as I should. I go my own way. I ignore what You say is right. I desire what You say is wrong. At the core of my wrong thoughts and actions is unbelief. I do not believe You, so I look for life apart from You. Lord, I confess that I have sinned against You.

Lord, I know Your word is living and active. Holy Spirit, I have You, as the Author, living inside me, so You have the power and freedom to speak to me at any time. And I need You to. I want You to. I ask You to. And I ask You to give me the power to obey You.

I ask You to fill me with an unquenchable thirst for You and Your word. Give me a hunger for You. Help me to not look for satisfaction and fulfillment in anything or anyone besides You.

As I read Your word, use it to renew my mind. Help me think like You do. Replace my wrong ideas with Your thoughts. I want to be transformed. I want to be more like You. Amen.

This prayer based on Psalm 19, Psalm 119 and Hebrews 4:12.