Worth Repeating - July 20, 2017

Jeremiah 2: 1 The word of the Lord came to me.

Jeremiah 6: 16 This is what the Lord says . . .

Jeremiah 10: 1 Hear what the Lord says to you . . .

Jeremiah 11: 1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord. (NIV)

Human strength is always inadequate to do the ministry to which one is called.*

These verses are a sampling of the ways that Jeremiah introduces his prophecies and proclamations. He declares that these are God’s words, not his, establishing his authority to speak for God – and possibly distancing himself from the fallout! 

Jeremiah spoke boldly, but in spite of his authority, his words were not well-received because the message was not a popular one. But he continued to be obedient – though sometimes grudgingly. Speaking as the very mouthpiece of God,* Jeremiah’s messages are as applicable today as they were thousands of years ago. For instance: 

• “Have you not brought this on yourselves by forsaking the Lord your God when he led you in the way?” (2: 17) It’s hard to be sympathetic when a person’s problems are self-inflicted! 
• “They have turned their backs to me and not their faces, yet when they are in trouble, they say, ‘Come and save us!’” (2: 27) Is this not typical human behavior? 
• “Have you not just called to me: ‘My Father, my friend from my youth, will you always be angry? Will your wrath continue forever?’ This is how you talk, but you do all the evil you can.” (3: 4, 5) Hypocrisy talks the talk but doesn’t walk the walk. 
• “Again and again I sent all my servants the prophets to you . . . But you have not paid attention or listened to me.” (35: 15) How many sermons have you heard? How many friends have tried to hold you accountable? In a lifetime of claiming to be a Christian, how much of God’s word have you retained and applied? 

Jeremiah may appear to have been unsuccessful in his ministry; nevertheless, he remained true to his calling.* His faithfulness reminds us of some important truths: 

1. Speakers of the truth are not always popular. 

2. Speakers of the truth don’t always see positive results. 

3. Speakers of the truth must keep on speaking the truth. 

4. Speakers of the truth must be surrendered to God in order to speak with authority and love.

Finally, we learn from Jeremiah’s experience that God will do what he says he will do. Whether promises or threats, his Word is true.

How can God say no to something He has promised?*