READING: Jeremiah 26-28, 2 Timothy 4
Sometimes the work of the preacher is quite difficult, simply because the message he must speak is not a popular one – like when you must, like Jeremiah, warn of coming judgment when other false prophets are preaching something different. That’s especially the case when the message of the false prophets is a more popular, more palatable one. Our God is a righteous God who demands righteousness among His people, and He has warned all of us that we will reap what we sow (Gal 6:7-9)—whether or not that message is popular. If we sow to our flesh, we will indeed reap destruction.
Here’s what Jeremiah knew, however, as he prophesied to the people. He had no question that the Lord had called him to speak this message: “in truth the Lord has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing” (Jer 26:15). They might kill him because of his words, but they would be taking the life of an innocent man who was simply doing what God had told him to do. Indeed, he would be willing to die at the hands of his opponents rather than speak something less than what God intended him to speak. And, in God’s striking way, He instead ended the life of the false prophet, Hananiah, for preaching “rebellion against the Lord” (Jer 28:16).
Yesterday, pastors and teachers all over the world stood for the truth of God’s Word. Some of them put their lives on the line to do so, but they did not compromise. Please pray today that all of God’s people will proclaim not the message that fallen people find most acceptable, but the message of the Lord. Even when it’s not popular.
PRAYER: “God, help me to be faithful to tell others Your Word, no matter how lonely that task might be at times.”
DAILY ACTION STEP: Do pray all day for preachers as they come to mind.
TOMORROW’S READING: Jeremiah 29-31, Titus 1-3
