Jeremiah 20:7 O Lord, you deceived me, and I was deceived;
you overpowered me and prevailed.
I am ridiculed all day long;
everyone mocks me.
I am ridiculed all day long;
everyone mocks me.
8 Whenever I speak, I cry out
proclaiming violence and destruction.
So the word of the Lord has brought me
insult and reproach all day long.
proclaiming violence and destruction.
So the word of the Lord has brought me
insult and reproach all day long.
9 But if I say, “I will not mention him
or speak any more in his name,”
his word is in my heart like a fire,
a fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary of holding it in;
indeed, I cannot.
or speak any more in his name,”
his word is in my heart like a fire,
a fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary of holding it in;
indeed, I cannot.
For quite a few chapters now, Jeremiah has been relaying God's destructive message to the people of Israel and Judah. He has been the bearer of bad news and the people pretty much want to "shoot the messenger". Jeremiah, may be a prophet, but he still is human. He still cries out to God, because the insults and mockery is quite unbearable. It says that Jeremiah once said he will not mention God's name or His words, but that is even more unbearable. God's words burn inside of him and there is no way he can just keep it to himself.
Sometimes we hear from God, whether directly, through His word, our peers, or leaders. However, we choose to ignore it, and not do anything about it. We learn after enough times, that it is better to do something about what God has said, then to not do anything at all. I know that there are times God has spoken to me, and I have felt fear, of being ridiculed. This is a reminder that God's word is to be spoken out, regardless of the mockery that may come with it. His word is stronger then the insults that may come because of it.
Lord God,
Thank You for speaking to me. Thank You for using me as a vessel to carry Your word. I pray that You continue to use me as Your vessel. I also pray that Your word becomes so powerful in my life that it becomes unbearable for me to keep it to myself. Lord, give me the strength to withstand the ridicule that may come because of it. Teach me, oh Lord, how to take a step of boldness when relaying Your message. Make it uncomfortable for me to sit on my laurels when You have spoken.
Amen.
2 comments:
This helped me to gain good perspective on what it takes to be the bearer of God's word to the world. Can be an intimidating thing, but im glad that God is SO MUCH BIGGER than this world and it's words. Let's pray to be blessed in overcoming any unbelief in that.
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