SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 37
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Jeremiah was put into a vaulted cell in a dungeon, where he remained a long time. Then King Zedekiah sent for him and had him brought to the palace, where he asked him privately, “Is there any word from the LORD?” [Jeremiah 37:16-17]
I find this part fascinating, that the king is looking for a message from the imprisoned prophet.
Somehow he knows that Jeremiah is God’s messenger, yet he does not release him… what is he thinking?
It seems that secretly he believed Jeremiah’s message, but not enough to publicly acknowledge him and set him free.
I wonder how many people are like that with Jesus too – privately open to Him, but publicly afraid to admit their belief in Him?
Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God. [John 12:42-43]
Many people were intrigued by Jesus message, yet they did not want to publicly acknowledge him – they were afraid of what people would say.
It is this two-faced response to Jesus that I want to consider today for myself.
I claim to believe in Him, I make a living working for Him and His cause, I boldly speak for Him in church – yet publicly I am hesitant, afraid.
If I believe His message to be true, then it needs to be true beyond my private, safe world where everyone accepts me.
If I believe His message to be true, then I need to admit it publicly, not worrying about what people will think.
Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. [Matthew 10:32-33]
Are you afraid of what other people think about your faith?
Am I a Jesus-follower in private, but not in public?
PRAYER:
Lord, Your Spirit is showing me my own fear of what others will think, how I boldly speak for You in church but am hesitant outside of it. Help me to become consistent both privately and publicly!
The king, nor his attendants nor the people paid any attention to the Word of the Lord.
Yet in a time such as this God had Jeremiah proclaim boldly what the Lord had told him. The Babylonia army would lay siege upon the land. What appeared to be happening, just gave the king and the people false hope for the Word of the Lord will come to pass. And Jeremiah was falsely accused and arrested and put into prison. God continues to take care of him because the king agreed to Jeremiah’s request not to put him into the prison again but made it a house arrest and yet fed him as long as their was food in the streets. God provides! God uses even the king His power to reveal and provide ‘peace’ for Jeremiah, His servant. Our God is mighty to save.
Everyone needs compassion A love that’s never failing Let mercy fall on me … My God is mighty to save. He is mighty to save. Forever …. God can do anything, they’re nothing to big or small for our Lord! …