email : Webview : Duane Brooks - Every Day with Jesus

October 3, 2018

Jeremiah 20:7-9

You deceived me, Lord, and I was deceived;
    you overpowered me and prevailed.
I am ridiculed all day long;
    everyone mocks me.
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.
But if I say, “I will not mention his word
    or speak anymore 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.

New International Version (NIV)

   Has someone mistreated you? How did you respond? So many of God’s servants endured ridicule and abuse. One response is to lash out at our detractors. Another is to talk to the Lord. Jeremiah teaches us by his response to those who harmed him.

               In ancient Israel there were two kinds of leaders: spiritual leaders appointed by the kings and prophets called by the King of Kings. Sometimes they overlapped but not often. Pashur, the chief officer of the temple didn’t like Jeremiah’s preaching about Judah going into captivity, so he put him in stocks and made him a laughing stock. Upon his release, Jeremiah pulled no punches in telling Pashur that he was wrong in doing so.

               Then Jeremiah took off the gloves with God. “You deceived me and I was deceived.” What did Jeremiah get for preaching God’s words? Insult and reproach. So Jeremiah decided to quit. He tendered his resignation. But the words God gave him were like a fire shut up in his bones. He had to speak. How would he survive? Two verses later he explains, “The Lord is with me like a mighty warrior.”

               We live our lives for an audience of One. What does God think about what I am doing? This is the ultimate question each of us must answer. Like the umpire in baseball, God’s opinion is the only one that matters.

Pray with me:

Father, we thank you that you always walk in when the world walks out. Let us find our comfort and strength in you today. Only let us speak if we have something to say from you and for you. Help us to speak your words today, we pray. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

This year we focus our Every Day with Jesus readings on Jesus’ story. With references to Tallowood's Read Through the Bible in 2018 daily reading plan, let's focus our undivided attention on Jesus and follow where he lead. He will not fail. Neither will we!
Joyfully,
Duane

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