Bible In One Year-Day 144 (Friday, May 24, 2013)
Commentary: Jer19-21. Jeremiah was used to taking prophetic actions according to God’s instructions. He faced serious verbal persecutions from the people because of his uncomfortable prophecies. The summary of the prophecy of chapter19 was demonstrated in prophetic action;
Jeremiah 19:10-11 “Then shalt thou break the bottle in the sight of the men that go with thee, And shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Even so will I break this people and this city, as one breaketh a potter’s vessel, that cannot be made whole again: and they shall bury them in Tophet, till there be no place to bury.”
This particular prophecy invoked serious rage which led to physical humiliation under the supervision of Pashhur, a priest in charge of the house of the Lord who had been deceiving people with false prophecies. This was the same man Jeremiah reported to God in Jer14: 13-15 “Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place. Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: … By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.” This prophecy stuck to Pashhur in Jer20:6. Jeremiah was so embittered that he accused God of seducing him into the ministry he found himself. To him, the more he spoke God’s word, the more he suffers attack from the people; people mocked him and he could not stand the reproach any longer. At a point, he decided not to talk again, either in the name of the Lord or otherwise. He tried to hold the words back in his heart but he could not because of the fire in it;
Jeremiah 20:9 “Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.”
It was so horrible that he wished he was not born. He went to the extent of cursing the day he was born. What Jeremiah faced at this time is what is called Ministerial challenges. There are ways in which God makes His ministers grow up. As we discussed in the earlier postings, there is no double promotion in the school of the Holy Spirit, you go through every course or subject in detail. And this is to refine you towards maturity so that even at old age you become fat and flourishing;
2 Corinthians 4:17 “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;”
Challenges in ministry are not to kill you but they are cautions for you to think very well before any leap. When God told Jeremiah that “they will fight against you but they shall not prevail”, that statement has cautionary remarks of the challenges he was facing. The only thing was that he did not know to what extent the fight would be and perhaps that was what caused his weariness. God’s word to us is always a full package; what to do, what we shall face, preparation of our hearts to withstand oppositions and assurance of victory. Wherever God sends you, He makes provision for help to withstand every challenge in that course. Through affliction we could measure the root of your strength in Jesus;
Mark 4:17 “And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.”
A genuine prophet of God suffers persecutions but his words exonerate him with time. To be a good example and a blessing to men, it is not by mouth but by active involvement in what you have said;
James 5:10 “Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.”
Beloved outside of ministry or destiny there are trials and within ministry or destiny there are trials. There is no divine provision for help in trials outside of ministry or destiny because where the word of the Lord is not, God Himself is not there. The trial that will end in joy is that which carries the rod of prayer, shield of patience, spirit of obedience and the garment of humility.
Let us ask for the old path where we could find rest. Let us listen to the trumpet’s sound, wherewith we could escape the calamity to come. May the Lord lead us through our trying times to the glory of His Holy name. Our reading for today is Jer22-24. Keep the fire burning and alive
Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Pastor Supo Abayode
+1-302-230-6792
MFM, Delaware, USA