May 16, 2018 - - Jeremiah 1:4 & 5

Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying:

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,

and before you were born I consecrated you;

I appointed you a prophet to the nations.

Jeremiah 1:4 & 5 ESV

Yesterday I was listening to a sermon on-line and the preacher made this interesting statement: "Prophets never had an enviable office". A prophet is someone set apart by God who speaks the Word of God to the people. Their lives are dedicated to following the LORD and their obedience is a sign to the people to whom they have been commissioned to preach.

Consider these prophets.

Jeremiah-the call of the LORD was so heavy on him and his heart so compassionate for the people he prophesied to that he often lamented.

"Oh that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night..." Jeremiah 9:1

The LORD told Ezekiel that his wife, who was described as the delight of his eyes, would die and he was not to weep or mourn for her. That night she died. Ezekiel 24:15ff

Daniel, the faithful prophet of God, prayer-warrior and trusted advisor to King Darius, was thrown into a pit filled with hungry lions. God spared him (Daniel 6:1ff) however, Daniel lived with the fact that fellow advisors and leaders hated and betrayed him.

Jonah tried to run from God. He was swallowed by a great fish. He spent three days and nights in the belly of the fish, and was vomited onto the shore of the very place he had tried to run away from. Smelling life fish vomit he went out and preached to a nation that hated his own people...and they listened to the malodorous prophet!

Following Jesus will mean we WILL experience hardships. Our lives are not our own. Yet we have a greater treasure than any earthly treasure: God Himself is our shield and very great reward. Jesus gives life full and abundant. The Spirit of God guards us for God until we see Him face to face. There is no greater adventure and no more complex wrestling and no deeper joy than belonging to God.

God our Shield and Very Great Reward--there are many times when the promises of the Bible seem to be at odds with the reality of our lives. By the standards of the world we experience heartbreak and sorrows, troubles and loss. Give us faith, so that with the prophet-apostle Paul we can say: "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain." Jesus, Merciful King, be for Your people what is promised is the Scripture: "eternal pleasure at the right hand of the Father" and our "Strength and Song". Let the light and momentary, but very complicated and real, struggles of our lives be set in contrast with the glories of eternity and pour out Your Spirit to sustain us. In our lives, LORD God, be glorified. Amen.