Growing up, my parents always concerned themselves with the type of external influence I had. We were very conservative and I did not mix much without supervision from my parents. It was only in my teenage years that I got to do things independently, like taking the bus and going for scout camps. I praise God these teenage years were wonderful periods for me to learn leadership and most importantly to discover God.
Jeremiah 22:8-9
And many nations will pass by this city; and everyone will say to his neighbor, ‘Why has the Lord done so to this great city?’ Then they will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord their God, and worshiped other gods and served them.’
The Kings of Judah also had influences from their neighbors. Some of them are mentioned in this chapter. Much of that influence led to them straying from the Lord and caused them to suffer severe consequences. Prophets like Jeremiah were used to speak to the kings and the people, but they were ignored and sometimes persecuted severely. The people of Israel and Judah could have been an influencer, instead they were being influenced by their neighbors for bad. They worshiped other gods and assimilated the ways of their neighbors.
I should know better. I must be the influencer. Influence others to follow His ways. Have you influenced someone for good today?
Father, help me be a role model and influencer for good.
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