By Reverend J. Loren Russell
Jeremiah 20:9 NKJV
“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.”
Jeremiah was a prophet who had a challenging message. It was not a message of good fortune or well-being. It was a message of doom and gloom for the Children of Israel in Judah and Jerusalem. The Lord was not pleased with their behavior. Jeremiah was tasked with the responsibility of telling them of the consequences of their actions. The task was so distasteful to Jeremiah that he refused to tell it. He was so displeased with the message that he nearly blasphemed against God when he said that the Lord “induced” him to tell it.
The message was so disturbing and unbelievable to the Israelites that he became a laughingstock. He was eventually beaten, thrown into prison, and locked in chains by the chief governor. Jeremiah determined that he would never speak the name of the Lord again. He wanted to quit! He wanted no part of it. He grieves, saying never again will I make mention of, or speak anymore in the name of the Lord. Never say never.
The next day he was taken from his jail cell and brought before the governor. But once in front of him, he could not hold his tongue. He again declared the prophetic word of God and told the governor that he will witness with his own eyes his friends being killed by the edge of the sword, Judah given into the hands of Babylon, the wealth of the nation taken, while he himself would be taken captive and die.
The Lord was displeased with His people, and they were going to experience His wrath. Jeremiah was chosen to deliver the message. Although he wanted to quit, to give up and go back to a normal life, he couldn’t. He cries out, “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.”
The word of God was like a burning fire in Jeremiah’s bones! He had no choice but to unleash the power of the prophetic word of God. Someone should have told him that when you’re summoned by God to deliver a message, you are required to give your very best, even if you do not understand, disagree with, or get the results you expect after delivering the message.
Who would have thought that ridicule, beatings, prison, and chains would be the result of obeying the commands of God? However, it does not matter what we endure in the process, the Lord wants His followers to do as they are instructed, even those who are reluctant to participate. Jeremiah is the perfect example of someone who was given an assignment by God, was unwilling to obey, and learned that you should never tell God what you will not do. The lesson for us today; if you’re summoned by God, “never say never!”
Be Blessed!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial Strategy & Consulting; an associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx; creator & host of “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” Mondays 8:00 – 10:00 PM on Facebook LIVE and author of Matters of Faith: The Book (eBook available at Smashword)
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