Jeremiah 20 : 9-10
9 Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him,
Nor speak anymore in His name.”
But His word was in my heart like a burning fire
Shut up in my bones;
I was weary of holding it back,
And I could not.
10 For I heard many mocking:
“Fear on every side!”
“Report,” they say, “and we will report it!”
All my acquaintances watched for my stumbling, saying,
“Perhaps he can be induced;
Then we will prevail against him,
And we will take our revenge on him.”
In this passage, it reveals just how badly torn Jeremiah was, as he called Judah to repentance and prophesied her destruction. Jeremiah loved Judah, but he loved God more. Jeremiah was speaking against the idolatry and immorality that Gods chosen people were consumed with. Jeremiah was being ridiculed and persecuted so heavily for his prophecy from God, that he's having thoughts of ending his ministry. I feel like we, as a nation, have become just as Israel was before they were handed over to their own destruction. I think a lot of us can relate to the anguish that Jeremiah was feeling. It is no longer the "cool" thing to be a Christian. Our leaders mock us for our beliefs, and some have mocked the very name of God and His principles. In our day, it is not very difficult to be consumed by the anger, frustration and fear that comes with trying to be a light in a dark place. It is easy to become so blindly driven by our emotions, we may want to quit. "But His Word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones." Through vulnerability in prayer, Jeremiah received the strength he needed to press on. God's Word stirred up a fire inside of Jeremiah that he could not contain. Even through the persecution, being jailed, being threatened and the mockery, Jeremiah was obedient. He stood his ground and spoke the truth in love, by The Holy Spirit of God.
Prayer for today:
Father, thank you for your word. Thank you for your prophecy. May we be called to repentance, that a fire would be kindled in us by Your Spirit. Lord, give us wisdom and discernment, that we would not be consumed in the world, but filled with your mercy and grace. Lord give your people the strength to speak truth in love, and stand for your principles. We pray these things in Jesus name. Amen.
