Thoughts for the Day

O Lord, you have enticed me,
and I was enticed;
you have overpowered me,
and you have prevailed.
I have become a laughing-stock all day long;
everyone mocks me...

If I say, ‘I will not mention him,
or speak any more in his name’,
then within me there is something like a burning fire
shut up in my bones;
I am weary with holding it in,
and I cannot.

Sing to the Lord;
praise the Lord!
For he has delivered the life of the needy
from the hands of evildoer.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Early in Jeremiah's career as a prophet he condemned the people for worshiping false gods, and their lack of care for the poor and weak. In 621 BCE when a book was apparently discovered while work was being carried out on the temple (possibly the book of Deuteronomy) King Josiah and Jeremiah introduced reforms. However, when his successor, Jehoiakim became king, he proved to be a different man to his father. Jeremiah was to condemn him. Things only got worse until Jerusalem was attacked by the Babylonians who destroyed the city, taking many people off to Babylon.

Jeremiah's first call from God came when he was only a child, and although he pointed out his youth, he dutifully proclaimed God's messages to the people, despite what would hapen to him over the years - plots to kill him, beatings, time in the stocks, imprisonments, and being thrown into a cistern. Today we see Jeremiah telling God that he has been compelled to do His work as a prophet. God's message burns within him and he cannot hold it in. It's not that God is forcing Him to deliver His message, but that Jeremiah feels he has to deliver God's words, even though it might cause his death. In other words it's worse not to do God's work, than to suffer for doing it.

All of us have been called by God or we wouldn't be Christians. But the call comes again and again. For example, two years ago I would never have believed that God would call me to an online ministry to hundreds of people around the world, at this time of my life. What has God called you to do during the last two years of your Covid experience?

Heavenly Father,
You call us in many ways
and many times.
May we hear and respond to Your call
whenever it comes
and whatever You want us to do,
even if it takes us out of our comfort zone.
Give us the courage and strength
to go forward into a new future with You.
Amen.