Daily Devotions: June 19, 2017

Daily Devotions: June 19, 2017

Jeremiah 20:7-9

“O Lord, you have enticed me, and I was enticed; you have overpowered me, and you have prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me.” vs. 7

Jeremiah was unhappy…and he blames the Lord. Somehow he had gotten talked into being a prophet and it wasn’t turning out well. Maybe he had thought his call would bring him enhanced status, that like a much-loved pastor he could bask in the love of his people. Whatever he had anticipated, the call wasn’t working to his benefit, and he couldn’t get out of it. The Lord had left him no flexibility–and the message he had for Jerusalem was one of doom and gloom. To top it off, no one paid any attention! The citizens just laughed it off and mocked him. The authentic prophetic message is still a tough one to proclaim. We see that in our culture and congregations when someone lifts a voice in opposition to the status quo. Prophets are threatened, called out on social media, and sometimes lose their jobs. No one likes to hear discouraging words or be warned of dire consequences for self-serving behavior. If Jeremiah were around today, his word from the Lord probably would have been called “fake news.” But true prophets can’t be silenced! Even when they want to give up and take the easy way out, they have convictions that come straight from the mouth of God. And ultimately, as Jesus says, “Their reward is great in heaven!”

Thought for the Day: Who are some contemporary prophets?

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