Stand in the Gap

Jeremiah is known as the “Weeping Prophet” because of his grief over the sin and coming destruction of Judah. His messages were ignored and people even began to hate and persecute him. He complained to the Lord:

“When I speak, the words burst out. “Violence and destruction!” I shout. So these messages from the Lord have made me a household joke.” Jeremiah 20:8

He wanted to give up and ignore God’s call. But he could not.

“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!” Jeremiah 20:9

Times have not changed much since the day of Jeremiah. We see moral decay, hatred and hopelessness in the world. We, like Jeremiah, fear being rejected and ridiculed for asserting ourselves as Christians. The only thing that has changed is that we have a much easier message to bring to the lost around us. We have the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Oh, that the Holy Spirit would light a blazing fire in the hearts of Christ followers everywhere so as to burst with the Good News of Jesus Christ!