Difficult Ministry

Scripture:

Jeremiah 38:4  "Then the officials said to the king, 'This man should be put to death.  He is discouraging the soldiers who are left in this city, as well as all the people, by  the things he is saying to them.  This man is not seeking the good of these people but their ruin'".

Observation:

Jeremiah was given a very difficult message from the Lord.  He was telling the people the truth and exactly what the Lord wanted him to tell them, but it got him in much trouble.  He was put in prison and in a cistern and left to die because of the message the Lord gave him.  The officials wanted him dead for discouraging the troops and the people with his message.  Jeremiah wasn't giving a politically correct message and was paying for it.

Application:

Sometimes in ministry we are called to say hard things that people don't like.  Will we let the applause of man be more important than the approval of God?  It is difficult to say what nobody else is saying.  It is tough to say what God wants said sometimes.  Jesus said difficult things.  Paul said difficult things.  John the baptist said difficult things.  Sometimes as followers of Jesus, we will be called upon to say difficult things.  May God give us the backbone to stand up and let our voice be heard, even when people don't want to hear it.

Prayer:

Father, help me to accurately speak what You are speaking.  I want to hear what You are saying and speak it forth clearly and passionately.  Help me to say what needs said to who it needs said and not to be afraid of their disapproval.

Your Son,
Jeff