Tuesday, July 7
Read Jeremiah 20
Think About It:
Jeremiah is just like us in many ways and he reasons with God about never being heard, even though he knows God called him (Jeremiah 1:5) to be a prophet and speak truth. Many times it seems like our voice is not heard or we are invisible. That is when we must hold on to the promises of God and continue forth in His mission for us. Verse 9 expresses this frustration well: “Sometimes I say to myself, ‘I will forget about the LORD, I will not speak anymore in His name.’ But then His message becomes like a burning fire in my heart, deep within my bones. I get tired of trying to hold it inside of me, and finally, I cannot hold it in.”
Take a few moments to pray and ask God that His Word will become like a fire inside you and you will be faithful to speak the truth in love at every opportunity. Read until you know this, as it says in verse 11, “The LORD is with me as a dread champion (one to be greatly feared); Therefore my persecutors will stumble and not overcome me. They will be completely shamed, for they have not acted wisely and have failed in their schemes; Their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten.” And then praise the LORD with a song, as verse 13 says: “Sing to the LORD! Praise the LORD! For He has rescued the life of the needy one from the hand of evildoers.”
Family Time:
- What did Pashur do to Jeremiah? (verses 1-2)
- What did Jeremiah prophesy in regard to Pashur? (verses 3-6)
- What happened when Jeremiah said he would not make mention of the LORD or speak any more in His name? (verse 9)
