We Cannot Please God If We Do Not Know His Instructions

Note from today’s Bible reading: Jeremiah 8-12

Through the prophet Jeremiah, God described the wicked state of His people: “Why then has this people, Jerusalem, turned away in continual apostasy? They hold fast to deceit, they refuse to return. […] No man repented of his wickedness, saying, ‘What have I done?’ Everyone turned to his course, like a horse charging into the battle” (Jeremiah 8:5-6).

How was this “continual apostasy” possible among those who were God’s chosen people and had received His law? God answered: “My people do not know the ordinance of the Lord” (Jeremiah 8:7). Without knowledge of God’s instructions, they could not keep their lives in harmony with His will. They “rejected the word of the Lord” and, therefore, would be “put to shame” (Jeremiah 8:9).

Those who do not know God’s word will find themselves in the same state of “continual apostasy.” Regardless of their intentions, they cannot fulfill God’s will if they ignore His word. Though they may be sincere, following the course that they have chosen for themselves will only lead them away from God and the path He has laid out for them.

So remember that we cannot please God if we do not know His instructions. Therefore, we must learn His word to know what He wants us to do. We must sincerely desire to do what is right, but if we ignore what He has revealed, we will inevitably wander astray.