Where Does a Prophet Go to Resign?
The sun is out and weather is warm once again! I was able to get out and mow the lawn and turn on the sprinkler system and mark sprinkler heads for the aeration taking place tomorrow. I brought my mother back to Englewood. She was a big help during her stay. I told her that it takes extra long for a handicap person and a ninety year old to get ready to go somewhere together. I think at 90 her strength is better in many ways than mine. But I told her my mind was sharper. So between the two of us we make up one “less the average” person.
After dropping my mom off at her house, I slipped into the Starbucks near Hampden and Santa Fe in the River Point shopping area. I was pleased to see Gary Jugert as the manger of this new store. I became acquainted with Gary when he worked at the Starbucks at Kipling and Florida in Lakewood. It was fun to get acquainted with many of the team members at that store and two of the young adults served as aides and interns with me at the Capitol and are still involved in politics.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Why was I born? Was it only to have trouble and sorrow, to end my life in disgrace?” Jeremiah 20:18
Those that God called and used faced challenges, trouble and discouragement. The verse above is one that you would think came from the lips of Job in the midst of his suffering. It is interesting the passages in the Bible where we read of an individual in their faith speaking of the anguish caused by the wicked. The prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of those who are obedient to the Lord.
Look at Jeremiah’s dilemma. He suffered because of the message he spoke.
“Everyone makes fun of me; they laugh at me all day long. Whenever I speak, I have to cry out and shout, “Violence! Destruction!”Lord, I am ridiculed and scorned all the time because I proclaim your message.” (Jeremiah 20:7,8)
Jeremiah was the Lord’s mouthpiece, but the assaults and ridicule that came to him began to wear on him. It was not just rejection and emotional abuse, it was a real threat of death. Even his friends began to doubt the authority of his words and message he spoke. Remember, Jeremiah was told that the Lord had selected him from birth for this mission. No wonder, he asks, “why was I born?”
But…on the other hand, Jeremiah could not just walk away, because he had a divine calling that could not be stopped.
“But when I say, ‘I will forget the Lord and no longer speak in his name,’ then your message is like a fire burning deep within me. I try my best to hold it in, but can no longer keep it back.” (Jeremiah 20:9)
What does Jeremiah do? Like many others he directs his focus and attention to the Lord and this is what he proclaims:
“But you, Lord, are on my side, strong and mighty, and those who persecute me will fail.…. But, Almighty Lord, you test people justly; you know what is in their hearts and minds. So let me see you take revenge on my enemies,
for I have placed my cause in your hands.…Sing to the Lord! Praise the Lord! He rescues the oppressed from the power of evil people.” (Jeremiah 20:11-13)
Jeremiah finds strength in the moment of discouragement by affirming that the Lord is with him; that the Lord is the final judge and defender of His people. When we recognize that the Lord “knows what is in…hearts and minds” it is a challenge to us to keep our hearts and minds open and right before the Lord.
Jeremiah gives room for the Lord’s justice and judgment. While he asks to see, “revenge on my enemies” he knows that all he can do is place his life in the Lord’s hands. We can say it is true, that while the Lord calls us to obedience; He doesn’t always call us to be accepted or affirmed or have a trouble-free life in our walk of faith.
Jeremiah then, praises the Lord. In doing so he exalts the Lord overs his problems, enemies and discouragement. God’s people may experience oppression, but the Lord does deliver from their power and allows us to rise in victory.
The Psalmist declared, “The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.” Psalm 34:17
Paul challenged believers with these words, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world…” Philippians 2:14,15
We are not called to be God’s prophets in an official capacity, but we are called to “speak God’s truth” in our world. To do so with wisdom, grace and under the Lord’s direction.
We may not face “Jeremiah-like” hardship, but we all face challenges and discouragement in life; even to the point of wanting to give up. But even in the midst of despair, the Lord is able to focus our attention away from our circumstances and despondency to His love and faithfulness. As you begin to praise Him in your despair, you will find that the Lord is on your side and will give you the strength that is needed to “carry on.”