Obedience

I am reading through the book of Jeremiah right now, and what sticks out to me is his obedience to the Lord amidst strong opposition. He faithfully obeyed God, delivering the message each and every time. The people would ask for a word from God, he would share, then they refused to accept the message to their own peril– how many times? Jeremiah had an unpopular ministry. And yet, he prevailed. He didn’t give up. He had moments of discouragement, like any human would. One of my favorite verses is Jeremiah 20:9. Here in this chapter, Jeremiah is talking to the Lord, telling Him that he is mocked everywhere he goes; the messages the Lord has called him to share have made him a “household joke”-20:8 NLT. But he can’t stop! “Then I said, ‘I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name.’ But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not”- 20:9 NKJV. Jeremiah didn’t want to speak anymore but he was compelled to continue. The desire within so strong. He had to obey God. Reminds me of the psalmist, “But as I stood there in silence–not even speaking of good things– the turmoil within me grew to the bursting point. My thoughts grew hot within me and began to burn, igniting a fire of words: ‘LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away. My life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath”- Psalm 39:2-5 NLT.

We are here on earth for but a moment. Obedience in that moment may bring about eternal life in heaven for someone else- Proverbs 11:30. Obedience in that moment may change someone’s journey to destruction to a journey filled with life- Ecclesiastes 7:12. Your obedience may save another person’s life; but it will absolutely save your life. The fruit of your obedience to God, may be a closeness to God money can’t buy. Jeremiah lived life hearing God’s secrets. Imagine that! His relationship with God was so close, God would ask Jeremiah, “What do you see, Jeremiah?”- Jeremiah 24:3 NKJV. Not only that but God, Himself, told Jeremiah, “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know”- Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV. A sweet invitation to Jeremiah to talk to Him, as Jeremiah sat in a prison of isolation.

And today, no matter where you are at, God is inviting you to talk to Him too. Do you hear Him whispering to your heart, “Call to Me, and I will answer you…”

Will you pray with me?

Abba! I lift up the church to You today and those faithfully delivering the messages You have placed upon their hearts. Would You fill them with Your Holy Spirit, igniting a fire so bright within their heart that they reach those cold hearts needing a bit of warmth. When one heart is on fire it ignites another, and we are praying for a revival of hearts within our nation. You tell us, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” – 2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV. Lord, some lands need healing, so people need to repent. Would those repentant hearts prove by the way that they live that they have truly turned from their sin and turned to You- Matthew 3:8? Would You restore the years the locust have eaten- Joel 2:25? Thank You Lord for reaching down to those faithful messengers You, Yourself, have anointed. Your presence in their life, so close, is all they need to faithfully continue in the calling You personally gave to them. Your presence is a gift! Thank You for hearing the cries of the discouraged and meeting them right where they are at. Lord, my prayer for the discouraged, today, is that they would run this race with endurance; the race You specifically set before them- Hebrews 12:1. Their race is perfect for them, designed by You. Praying they keep their eyes focused on You and nothing else- Hebrews 12:2. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.