Don’t Trust in Mankind

Jeremiah 20:9  “But if I say, ‘I will not mention him 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.”   (NIV)    

Jeremiah was tired.  Not because he had run a marathon.  Not because he stayed up until the wee hours of the morning.  He was tired because he was trying to hold in God’s Word…but couldn’t.

You see, Jeremiah felt like a lone ranger.  Hundreds of lying prophets were encouraging sinful lifestyles.  “If it feels good, do it!” they said.  “You only live once!  God loves everyone and he will never, ever punish sin…so keep sinning!”

Jeremiah was the only one announcing, “Repent!  God notices…and despises…your sin!  Disaster is coming unless you have a major change of heart.”  But Jeremiah was belittled.  Blown off.  Imprisoned.  Rejected.  That can do a number on a Christian’s mind.  Jeremiah mulled over that maybe he should listen to the liars, and stop speaking God’s Word. “But if I say, ‘I will not mention him 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.”  So Jeremiah shared a gusher of God’s Word.  Whether people wanted to hear it or not – well, that didn’t matter.  God’s Word was coming!  It was the prophet’s only option.    

Our world is a lot like Jeremiah’s world.  Honest repentance is belittled.  Sinful, creative juices are fueled.  God’s Word is trampled, and those who do so boast about it.  Are you ever tempted to stop speaking God’s truth in this spiritual climate?  Do you ever feel like a lone ranger?  Don’t let the world drive your emotions.  Remember that God’s Word is more powerful than your fears.  God’s Word is more central than your loneliness.  Even if billions of sinners vehemently reject God’s Word…guess what?

God’s eternal truth is still the truth.

And that will never change.  One person + God’s Word will always be stronger than any opposition, even if that opposition outnumbers you greatly.

Prayer:  Sturdy Savior, be my Rock, be my Refuge, be my Fortress.  When the lies of this world overwhelm me and entice me to stay quiet, give me your heavenly courage to believe that your truth will always be the truth.  You are the light of the world, the light no darkness can overcome.  Amen.