August 1, 2026 Devo

On May 8, 1902, there was a horrible volcanic eruption on the island of Martinique in the eastern Caribbean. The entire city of Saint-Pierre was wiped out. Nearly 30,000 people. The truly sad thing is that they had plenty of warning and ample time to get off the island. The mountain had been rumbling and spewing gas for weeks. It was giving all the signs and symptoms of something bigger coming. So why didn’t they flee?
Well, even though people were warning the city of an impending eruption, many city officials told the people they were safe. “Nothing to worry about,” the newspapers said. Because there was an important election in a few days, city officials actually prevented people from evacuating. The Governor, trying to give assurance to the people, stated on May 7 that he and his wife planned to take an excursion closer to the mountain the next morning. That next morning, just before 8:00 am, the mountain blew apart. It destroyed everything and everyone in its path in just a matter of minutes.
Why don’t we listen to warnings? What is it about human nature that makes us think we’re so smart that we don’t need to heed wise counsel? Why do we believe that WE will be the ones to beat the odds, dodge the bullet, or escape the consequences? When I read our passage today, my heart just sank. The people were about to be captured and taken into captivity for 70 years. The impact on their lives and their culture would be catastrophic. And it didn’t have to be that way! Look at what Jeremiah says. “For the past twenty-three years…the LORD has been giving me his messages. I have faithfully passed them on to you, but you have not listened.” 23 YEARS!! That’s how great the love of God was for His People. That was how patient He was. For 23 years, He begged them, pleaded with them, and warned them through His prophets to turn around. But they refused. So they experienced the consequential volcano of God’s wrath.
Please hear my heart. With all the love and compassion within me, I say this. Don’t be stupid. Don’t allow yourself to become so filled with pride and self-deception that you wait for the volcano to blow. If God is calling you to repent, then REPENT. If God is warning you not to take a certain path, then don’t take it. If God is telling you to change your attitude, change your ways, or change your relationships, then DO IT! God loves you and wants what’s best for you. He cares enough to speak to you through His Spirit, speak to you through His Word, and speak to you through His Messengers. Turn to Him now and let His Grace, His Compassion, and His Protection envelop you. The people on the island didn’t have to die. Judah didn’t have to be exiled. Don’t be stupid like them. Heed the voice of the Lord before the volcano blows. That’s God’s Word for you today.