Devotion:
For an audio version of this devotion, click here.
Read Jeremiah 38:1-13.
Jeremiah was a faithful prophet for God, even when his message was not what the people wanted to hear. His initial message for the people of Judah was a call to repentance, pleading with them to turn from their rebellious ways and worship God. Now, in this passage, the message had changed but was perhaps even harder for the people to hear. God’s word for Jeremiah to give to the people was that the time for repentance was over, the Babylonian army would indeed attack, and they should simply surrender to the enemy in order to save their lives. This seemed like a defeatist message, and the people punished Jeremiah for it, almost costing him his very life.
There is a message for us in this passage! When we preach or teach or share our faith, we are to be true to what we know God’s message really is. It is so very tempting to think about what our audience of one or a thousand wants to hear and then bend God’s word to please. We do not want to be disliked or ridiculed, but we are called to be strong, faithful to the word entrusted to us while sharing it in love.
Personal Worship Option:
Please pray with me: Almighty God, I want to be your faithful servant, and sometimes that includes being your spokesperson. Give me the faith and strength of Jeremiah to do that without bending your Word and help me to do this in the spirit of love your Son showed us. Amen.
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