Jeremiah 20:7-9
“You pushed me into this, GOD, and I let you do it. You were too much for me. And now I’m a public joke. They all poke fun at me. Every time I open my mouth I’m shouting, ‘Murder!’ or ‘Rape!’ And all I get for my GOD-warnings are insults and contempt. But if I say, ‘Forget it! No more GOD-Messages from me!’ The words are fire in my belly, a burning in my bones. I’m worn out trying to hold it in. I can’t do it any longer!”
“O Lord, you misled me, and I allowed myself to be misled. You are stronger than I am, and you overpowered me. Now I am mocked every day; everyone laughs at me. When I speak, the words burst out. ‘Violence and destruction!’ I shout. So these messages from the Lord have made me a household joke. But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!”
Poor Jeremiah. He is between the rock of God and the hard hearts of his countrymen. In I Cor. 9:16 Paul says, “Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn't preach the Good News!” Paul is the more fortunate because his news is good. Jeremiah’s was catastrophic. I am convicted by both men and long to share the news God gives me. My existence is much more low profile. But, like Jeremiah, I too stand as intercessor for the people in my life, and my bones burn with the fire of God’s Word.
Lord, show me how to live out this burning in my secluded life. Make me a better intercessor. Forgive my laziness and self-preoccupation. May I ever walk and talk according to your perfect will.