Dead to Sin

Romans 6:3-11

Many of us have attended a funeral or a wake where the deceased was visible in their open coffin.  As you stand by the coffin of your friend or loved one perhaps you say something to them.  Of course, there is no response.  Maybe you even confess some secret that you had never told them.  The deceased doesn’t sit up and sock you in the nose.  If the confused little child tells daddy to get up, he doesn’t move.  He won’t hear or obey anything that is said because he is dead.  The dead don’t respond.  They have no interest in what is going on, whether in that room, or outside in the world at large.  In our Scripture today as we continue on in the Book of Romans, St. Paul tells us that in one way we are to be like that dead person in the coffin.  Let’s look into our Scripture to discover what he means.

At the time of the Apostle Paul’s writing of this epistle to the church in Rome, there was a false teaching circulating among the churches which taught that it was okay for believers to continue to sin.  They taught that since God gives us His grace when He forgives our sins, that the more we sin the more grace we will receive.  They felt that it was actually good to sin, because the more sin, the more grace.  Paul refutes this false teaching here.

Ongoing sin in our life is incompatible with salvation.  The justification that we receive when saved brings us into a new position before God.  That position brings a new relationship to sin, with a new mindset and new obedience.  Paul begins by saying that when we were saved, we were baptized into Christ’s death (vs. 3).  This is not referring to water baptism, but rather the spiritual union we have with Jesus.  Our water baptism symbolizes our union with His death.  His death counts as ours.  We are now no longer the person that we were before Jesus saved us.

The burial of the deceased shows the finality of death.  However, as Christians we have a new hope because of the resurrection of the Lord from the dead (vs. 4-5).  His death and burial was not final.  He rose again!  His resurrection is not merely a future hope, it is the pattern and power of Christian living now.  Being united with Jesus means our lifestyle must reflect His resurrection power, not the grave of our old life.  We are united to the Savior just like a plant is grafted onto another one.  Jesus’ death and resurrection were not just events in the past, they are spiritually shared realities for us.  Our union with Jesus is the root, and our sanctification, our living an obedient and sanctified life is the fruit.

Paul continues by stating that our old man, our old nature, was crucified with the Lord Jesus, and we are no longer slaves to sin (vs. 6).  The “old man” is who we were in Adam, when we lived under sin’s rule.  That old man was executed, just as Jesus was on the cross.  The “body of sin” is the whole system of sin’s influence over our mortal life.  It was destroyed, rendered powerless, but not annihilated.  Sin remains present with us, however its authority is broken.

The Emancipation Proclamation was made during the U.S. Civil War, and it freed the slaves.  When they were freed, they no longer had to obey their masters.  Their former master could shout at them to go work in the fields, but they did not have to obey.  They were free.  In like manner, a dead person does not obey anything said to them.  They are dead.  Similarly, we are freed from sin’s control and authority (vs. 7).  It can tell us to do any manner of wickedness, but we don’t have to obey.  Jesus’ death broke the power of sin, and when we accepted Him as Savior, we also died to sin and were set free from its power and authority over us.  Sin’s demands are no longer binding.  Jesus Christ is the new Master.

Christians are now dead to sin, and the Bible promises that we shall also live with God for eternity (vs. 8).  Our life is inseparable from Jesus.  He empowers our spiritual life currently in the present, and in the future promises a bodily resurrection and eternal life. Death cannot reclaim Jesus (vs. 9). His resurrection is irreversible and triumphant.  Our new life shares the permanence of Jesus’ risen life.

Jesus’ death was a single, decisive act.  When He died on the cross, He conquered death (vs. 10).  Now He lives in perfect fellowship and victory with the Father.  As believers, our relationship to sin and to God mirrors that of Jesus.  To “reckon” ourselves as dead to sin, as Paul says in verse 11, is to count it as true, to adopt it as our mindset. This is not wishful thinking, but a declared reality.  Our victory over sin begins with believing what God says about ourselves.

Looking back over our Scripture, we have learned from God’s Word that if we have accepted Jesus as Savior, then we are dead to sin and alive to God.  This is not just some motivational language, it is spiritual reality.  Sin’s power over us is broken.  We are no longer enslaved by it.  Just as a dead person doesn’t obey anything said to him, nor a freed slave has to obey, we are dead and freed from sin’s power.  Knowing this, our daily choices should reflect Christ’s risen life, with purity, obedience, and holiness.

A Covenant Promise Kept

Psalm 89:1-21

Do you know who Ethan the Ezrahite is?  Most people, including Christians who read and study their Bible, do not know who he is.  Some might be vaguely familiar with the name.  He is one of the countless people whose names are mentioned in the Bible once or twice, but very little is actually known about them.  Ethan the Ezrahite is listed as the author of today’s psalm, which we will take a look at the first half.

Ethan wrote only one psalm, the somewhat long Psalm 89, which remembers God’s covenant with King David, and His steadfast love for His people.  Ethan was a court musician in the latter part of King David’s reign, and then into the reign of King Solomon, where he was reputed to have been the second wisest man of the country after Solomon (I Kings 4:31).  Though none of his wise sayings and thoughts were recorded, the one thing that we have from him is Psalm 89, the first half which declares God’s covenant faithfulness which is unbreakable, and His unmatched power.  It also speaks of His choice of David as king, ultimately pointing forward to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our psalm begins with worship, where Ethan declares God’s mercy and faithfulness (vs 1-2).  The Hebrew word here for mercy is “hesed”, which not only means the mercy that God shows us, but also His lovingkindness and favor. Faithfulness, the Hebrew word emuna, describes God’s reliability and truthfulness.  God’s character is the anchor of our faith.  We can proclaim God’s faithfulness even when circumstances appear contradictory.

Ethan then proceeds to recall the covenant that God made with King David (vs. 3-4).  This covenant is recorded in Scripture in II Samuel 7, where God promises David both a perpetual dynasty, and to establish his throne forever.  This covenant is both unconditional and everlasting.  Nothing that David or any of his descendants could ever do will break this covenant.  It is ultimately fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal King (Luke 1:32-33).

Next we read how the heavens praise God’s wonders (vs. 5-8).  We see how both heavenly beings, such as the angels, along with holy ones upon earth, the assembly of saints, praise the incomparable Lord.  No one in heaven or earth can rival God’s holiness or power.  He transcends and goes beyond all of creation.  There is nothing that can compare with Him, and He is supreme over all heavenly beings.

If you have ever been to the ocean shore or out on a boat during a strong storm, you know how wild the waves and water can be, and how dangerous, as well.  There is absolutely nothing we can do to calm or control those waves.  However, God, and He alone, can rule the raging sea (vs. 9-10).  He also breaks Rahab, which can refer to a large sea monster, and is also symbolic of a figure representing chaos, arrogance, and the enemies of God (such as Egypt).  He controls nature, defeats nations, and brings order out of chaos.  The God who subdued Egypt in the Exodus is the same God who keeps His covenant promises.

As we know, everything belongs to God - the heavens, the earth, and all of creation upon the earth (vs. 11-13).  He created everything from the north to the south.  Ethan mentions two mountains that were in Israel - Mt. Tabor which was in southern Galilee, and Mt. Hermon which was on the far northern border.  God’s arm is strong and His hand is mighty.  Verse 14 speaks of the four attributes that form God’s rule - justice, righteousness, mercy, and truth.  His rule is morally perfect.  His covenant faithfulness flows from His nature, not from any human merit.

Ethan continues by recounting the blessings for God’s covenant people (vs. 15-18).  Those who know the “joyful sound” (possibly referring to worship or covenant celebrations) will walk in God’s light.  We have the blessings of His presence and His Name.  We have His righteousness, and the protection of His strength and defense.  True joy comes from walking in obedience and worship.

Our portion of this psalm closes with God speaking of finding David, and anointing and establishing him as king (vs. 19-21).  David’s kingship was God-initiated, not man-made.  David is a type or symbol of the Lord Jesus, who was chosen, anointed, strengthened, and victorious.  Jesus fulfills the Davidic covenant perfectly and eternally.

As we look back at this first half of Psalm 89 and what the wise Ethan seeks to teach us, we see that God’s faithfulness is absolute and unchanging.  His sovereignty extends over all creation, nations, and spiritual beings.  We also see that the Davidic covenant is literal, everlasting, and is fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ.  When God makes a covenant, His character guarantees His promises.

What Will Happen to the Proud

Isaiah 2:10-17

Have you ever met someone who was just so full of themself?  They couldn’t stop trying to let everyone know how great they thought they were, and how witty or important they felt their every word was.  It is even worse if this proud person has any type of power, whether in the political realm or in the business world.  Sometimes we end up hoping that someone or something will come along and knock them down a peg or two!  This is especially true if these proud ones try to come against the Lord God and our faith.  In our Scripture for today we will see what the Lord has warned will happen to those who are too full of pride, especially against Himself.  As we will see in today’s Scripture from the Book of Isaiah, God will bring down everything that exalts itself against Himself.

As Isaiah began this Scripture passage, he pictured people fleeing into caves and rocks to hide from God’s presence (vs. 10).  When we know that something bad is coming, we might like to hide away from it.  When we were little, and we had done something wrong, we might have tried hiding from our father when we heard him coming.  Criminals flee from the police when a crime is committed.  They don’t want to get caught.  This verse is not symbolic.  It is a literal, future event when humanity will attempt to hide from the visible glory of God.  We read in Revelation 6:15-17 where people will hide from the Lamb, the Lord Jesus’ wrath.  There is terror when facing God without repentance, but it is futile to try and escape from God’s divine judgment.

On this coming Day of the Lord, all human pride will collapse (vs. 11).  This will include all national pride, one’s feelings of self-sufficiency and personal exaltation, and also the arrogance of false religions.  This is the central theme of today’s Scripture.  The Lord alone will be exalted.

Several prophets speak of the Day of the Lord, including Isaiah here (vs. 12).  This is a future time in history when God will intervene to judge evil, rescue His people, and establish His Kingdom.  It will be a time of dread and judgment for those who are in rebellion against Him.  It will also be a time of deliverance and hope for faithful believers.  This will come when the Lord Jesus returns to defeat evil, pour out His wrath against unbelievers, and establish His Kingdom.  The Day of the Lord is God’s appointed time of reckoning.

Isaiah continues on by listing some things and places that can serve as symbols of prideful human greatness (vs. 13-16).  The cedars of Lebanon have traditionally been symbols of strength and majesty.  The oaks of Bashan are symbols of endurance and stability.  High mountains and hills can be seen as political powers and kingdoms, and the high towers and fortified walls as military might.  The ships of Tarshish picture economic power and global trade.  These represent many spheres of human pride, such as political, military, and economic.  God warns us that He will bring all of these low in His judgment in the end times.

Our Scripture concludes with Isaiah stating that everything that man exalts will fall, but everything that God exalts will stand (vs. 17).  The Apostle Paul repeats this thought in Philippians 2:10-11 when he states that every knee will ultimately bow to the Lord Jesus. As Psalm 2 states, God will overthrow all nations which have rebelled against Him.  God will not share His glory with human pride.

Not only is pride the first of the seven deadly sins, it is the root of all of the other ones.  Pride is also the root of idolatry, self-reliance, rebellion, humanism, and false religions.  Pride is not merely a personal flaw, it is a cosmic offense against God’s rightful rule.

The Day of the Lord is not a myth or a symbol.  It is coming.  Knowing this, we need to walk in holiness and be proclaiming the Gospel.  As believers, we need to live with eternal priorities, and fear God rather than man.

The phrase “the Lord alone shall be exalted” is repeated twice in this Scripture passage, in verses 11 and 17.  God alone is supreme.  It is His right to judge, and at the end of history, He will receive ultimate glory.  Nations rise and fall, economies collapse, and cultures shift.  However, the Lord alone remains exalted. 

A Courageous Christian

Matthew 10:16-33

In last week’s Gospel study we read about Jesus sending out His disciples on their first mission, bringing His message throughout Galilee and Judea.  Today’s Gospel continues where last week’s left off, with Jesus telling them, and us today, that those who follow Him will face persecutions, what the cost of discipleship will entail, and also that we do not need to fear because God cares for us.  Let’s look at this teaching of the Lord Jesus, because what we read applies to all believers today, especially regarding persecution and having a bold witness.

Jesus begins His instruction to the disciples by warning them that they are being sent out like sheep among wolves (vs. 16).  Sheep are vulnerable, dependent, and gentle creatures, while wolves are aggressive, predatory, and in this situation, spiritually dangerous.  This world is not neutral to Christians.  Instead it is hostile to the Lord Jesus and His people (John 15:18-19).  Jesus told us that we need to be as wise as serpents when going out into a world that is hostile against our faith.  We need to be discerning and strategic, not naive.  He also told us to be as harmless as doves, pure, innocent, and without retaliation.  We must avoid compromise while also avoiding foolish provocation.  We may encounter threats, hardship, and even pain, but God assures us of His presence.

Continuing on, we are warned that we will also face persecution from religious and civil authorities (vs. 17-18).  We see this happening all across the globe, even in countries where we never would have expected it a few years back, but now there is persecution.  This is not a sign of failure, but of faithfulness.  God uses opposition to advance His Gospel, as it becomes a platform for witness.  When dragged before the authorities, Jesus tells us not to worry about what we will say, as He promises that the Holy Spirit will give us the words to speak (vs. 19-20).  That doesn’t mean that we don’t need to read and study God’s Word, but it is a promise that He will give us just the right words to answer those who come against us.

Jesus warns His followers that sometimes those who oppose them will be those in their own families (vs. 21-22).  Persecution may come from our siblings, our parents, or our children.  The words that “he that endures to the end shall be saved” is not salvation by endurance, but rather that endurance is the evidence of genuine salvation.  True believers will persevere, they won’t permanently fall away.  As Jesus’ followers, we are called to stand firm and share the Gospel.  We should not seek out martyrdom, nor be reckless, but instead Jesus tells us to move on when rejected (vs. 23).  Courage is not stupidity.  Christians may flee danger without denying Christ.

Our Savior faced persecution.  He was ridiculed, slandered, and called names, and we should expect similar treatment (vs. 24-25).  Opposition is normal, not the exception.  When we follow Him the world will be hostile to us.  Jesus tells us to not be afraid, but instead to speak openly and proclaim His message boldly (vs. 26-27).  There is to be no secret discipleship.  Public confession is important.  We do not need to fear men.  The worst they can do is kill the body.  Instead we must fear God (give reverential respect), as He can destroy both body and soul in hell (vs. 28).  Jesus states that there is a hell, and it is a serious thing to reject Him.  Human threats are temporary, but God’s judgment is eternal.

God is not a heartless God who doesn’t care what happens to His followers.  He loves and cares about each one of us in a personal and intimate way.  He is so involved in our lives that He knows the number of hairs that each of us has (vs. 29-31).  He loves all of His creation, so much so that He takes notice when a sparrow dies.  Don’t you think, then, that He cares more about you?

Lastly, we read about confessing or denying Christ before others (vs. 32-33).  We have two parallel truths - If we confess Christ before men, He will confess you before God the Father.  If we deny Christ before men, then He will deny you before the Father.  This is not about momentary fear, but instead a settled rejection.  Peter had a moment of fear and denied Jesus.  He had not rejected the Savior, though, and immediately repented.

In closing, as we look back over this Scripture passage, we see that we are called to be courageous Christians, ones who refuse to compromise, who speak God’s Word boldly, and who trust Him completely.  Jesus does not send His people into a world of ease, but into battle.  However, we don’t need to fear, as He goes with us and strengthens us.  In the end, Jesus promises eternal rewards for those who are faithful.

Two Men and Two Acts

Romans 5:12-19

The older we get, the more we can look back over our life and see that there were certain actions of ours that changed the whole trajectory of our life.  Maybe it was a certain job we applied for and got, or going on a date with a certain person.  Perhaps it was an angry reaction to something.  Some of these reactions turned our life onto a good course or path, while others maybe caused some bad things to happen.  Many times our actions will affect others lives, as well as our own, both positively or negatively, sometimes for several generations.  Often this is within our own family, like a blessing or curse handed down.  There was one action that a person took that affected each and every one of his descendants in a horribly, terrible way.  Our Scripture today describes this, and how someone else’s action brought a cure.  Let’s look at what this could be.

As we begin our Scripture study from the Book of Romans, the person whose actions affected each of his descendants is Adam.  Adam is the forefather of each and everyone of us, our over 100x great grandfather.  As we read in the second chapter of Genesis, God gave Adam one instruction, and that was not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17).  Sure enough, not too much later Adam disobeyed and brought sin into the world.  Sin entered the human race through Adam, and death is the direct result of sin (vs. 12).  Death spread to all men because all have sinned.  All mankind sinned in Adam, not merely because of imitating his actions.  Adam acted as the representative of the human race, and when he sinned, we sinned in him.  Therefore, all humans are born spiritually dead and corrupted.

As the Apostle Paul continues, he instructs us that death reigned even before the Law of Moses was given (vs. 13-14).  People died even when they had not broken a specific command like Adam did.  Therefore, death cannot be explained merely by one’s personal sins.  Death proved that Adam’s guilt was imputed or assigned to all mankind.   We can look back and see that we have received an awful inheritance because of one man's terrible action.  We inherited it just like eye color or height.  Is this our doomed destiny?  Let’s continue on.

Paul now contrasts two people - Adam and the Lord Jesus Christ (vs. 15-17).  Adam’s one sin brought many offenses which resulted in condemnation, which causes death to reign.  However there is good news!  Jesus’ one act of obedience brings grace, justification, and causes believers to reign in life.  Jesus was obedient to God the Father by living a sinless life, and then taking our sins upon Himself and dying in our place upon the Cross.  When we believe and accept what Jesus did for us, His righteousness is imputed to us, or put on our account.  That is God’s gift to us.  Salvation is not earned, it is a gift.

As our Scripture continues we see that Adam and his act of disobedience brought condemnation for everyone.  However, Jesus’ obedience  brought justification to all who believe (vs. 18-19).  Adam’s disobedience made all sinners, but Jesus’ obedience made many righteous.  The “all” in Adam is literal, as all humanity has inherited Adam’s original sin.  However the “all” in Jesus refers to all those who have come to Jesus in faith, personally accepting His death as payment for their sins.  It is not a basis for the false teaching of universalism.

Adam’s sin brought condemnation and death to all people.  Through the righteous act of Jesus upon the cross, God provides eternal life and a righteous standing before Him.  Jesus’ act of love and obedience was powerful enough to overcome Adam’s one act of disobedience.

Adam and Jesus Christ are the two heads of humanity.  Adam is the natural head, and he brought death.  Jesus is the spiritual head, and He brings life.  Every person is in one of these two realms.  All people are born in Adam.  Only the gospel will transfer them into Christ.  When you come to Jesus for salvation your identity is no longer tied to Adam’s failure, but it is tied to Jesus’ victory.

In closing, we see that there were two men and two acts that affected and shaped all of humanity.  Just as a single, microscopic mold spore can multiply and spread mold throughout a building, a single act of disobedience caused widespread condemnation.  However, a single act of obedience, that of Jesus Christ, can reverse that and bring forgiveness of sins and salvation to all who have faith and believe in Him.

Drowning in Troubles

Psalm 69:1-18

Bodies of water, such as the ocean, a lake, and also a river, can be a beautiful thing to sit and watch, especially on a nice evening.  On a warm summer afternoon, people venture in to cool off, and children play along the shore.  However those same beautiful waters can turn from calm and placid to stormy, wild, and dangerous in just a matter of minutes.  Then, instead of something nice to be around, it has become a threat to our life.  Problems in our life are like that.  One moment everything is fine, and then the next it is threatening to drown us.  In our psalm today, we read of a desperate prayer that David made when his troubles and his enemies were overwhelming him like a flood, and he felt as if he was drowning.  This psalm also prophetically foreshadows the sufferings of the Lord Jesus.  Let’s take a look.

This psalm which David wrote begins immediately with his anguished and distressed prayer to God for deliverance (vs. 1-3).  He cried out for God’s rescue because his problems were like flood waters around him.  Anyone who has ever been in a serious flood knows that this is a dangerous situation.  David was totally helpless, and felt like he was emotionally drowning.  He was physically and spiritually exhausted, weary from crying, his throat was parched, and his eyes failed while waiting for God’s help.  This was not poetic exaggeration.  This was the Holy Spirit’s inspired record of a believer who was crushed under real affliction.  This also foreshadowed Jesus Christ’s suffering, especially His thirst (John 19:28).  As we study the first half of this psalm, we will see several parallels with the Savior.

Sometimes our problems come through our own faults and sins.  However, at other times they come through no fault of our own.  David’s enemies were attacking him without a cause, for no reason (vs. 4).  The Gospels directly apply this verse to Jesus (John 15:25).  David’s experience of unjust hatred prophetically figured that of what Jesus would endure.  The world’s hatred of God’s people is ultimately hatred of God Himself.

David then turns to confession of his sins (vs. 5).  This is not because these problems are a direct result of any specific sin, but he does this as a confession of humility.  David was a sinner, as we all are, and he was suffering unjustly.  Jesus was the sinless One who suffered on behalf of sinners.

David humbly prayed that the behavior and actions he had in response to his suffering would not cause shame to God’s people (vs. 6-7). He was suffering reproach for God’s sake. This also prophesied Jesus, who bore reproach for the Father’s glory (Romans 15:3).  Our response to suffering should never bring reproach on God’s Name.

One distressing thing that can happen when we are drowning in our problems or going through suffering is that our family and friends may step away or even abandon us.  David felt that (vs. 8).  He felt estranged from his own family.  Jesus also literally experienced this (John 7:5).  Another verse that is directly applied to Jesus is verse 9, for having zeal for God’s house.  The New Testament applied this to Jesus' cleansing of the Temple (John 2:17).

David was mocked, ridiculed, and slandered (vs. 10-12).  Community leaders gossiped about him.  And imagine how humiliating it would be to have the town drunks make songs about you!  This, though, mirrored the humiliation that Jesus endured during His earthly ministry and crucifixion.  David continued to pray that God, in His mercy and covenant love, would rescue him from these deep waters (vs. 13-15).  He asked God to hear him, draw near and deliver him (vs. 16-18).  This is the heart-cry of every suffering believer.  God’s nearness should be our greatest comfort.

Psalm 69 is one of the clearest prophetic psalms, showing Jesus’ suffering.  We see that He was hated without a cause, that He was consumed with a zeal for the Father and His holiness.  We see that Jesus bore reproach and suffered physically, including intense thirst, for which He was given gall and vinegar, shown later in the psalm in verse 21.

This psalm shows us that believers can, and often do, go through suffering, not because of any sins they committed, but because of righteousness.  This is contrary to what some preachers falsely teach, that believers should only have health, wealth, and prosperity.  We can follow David’s model on how to pray when overwhelmed, with honest lament, humble confession, having confidence in God’s character, and expectation of deliverance.  David did not hide his anguish, and neither do we need to.  Just as Jesus was hated without a cause, we can expect the world’s hatred, as well.

God hears the cries of His people even when the waters rise and strength fails.  Jesus entered the depths of suffering, not only to sympathize with us, but also to redeem us.  Therefore, no Christian ever suffers alone.

Jeremiah's Despair

Jeremiah 20:7-13

The Old Testament Scripture passage this week from the Lectionary of the Book of Common Prayer takes us to the Prophet Jeremiah.  The messages that the Lord gave Jeremiah to bring to the people of Judah during the final years before the Babylonian captivity were not easy ones.  His ministry was a difficult, and often dangerous one. In today’s Scripture we will read how Jeremiah had consistently obeyed God, bringing His message, no matter how negatively and angrily the people received it, and yet things only got worse for him, so much so that he wanted to quit the ministry.  Let’s look at God’s Word for today.

Jeremiah lived from approximately 650 to 570 BC.  His ministry was to the Kingdom of Judah right prior and during the years of attack by the Babylonian empire, the people being taken into captivity, and the destruction of the city of Jerusalem.  This judgment upon the nation was because of their idolatry and disobedience to God’s Law.  Jeremiah preached that this judgment would come, and for the people to repent and return to the Lord.  Everywhere they went, there was Jeremiah, bringing God’s message of judgment, of repentance, urging them to return to Yahweh and follow His ways.  That was not a message which they wanted to hear, and they let him know in many ways.  His ministry brought him nothing but hostility, ridicule, and suffering.  He had been beaten, imprisoned, and even thrown into a muddy, sodden, miry pit.  It’s no wonder that Jeremiah was depressed and discouraged!

As our Scripture begins, Jeremiah had just been beaten and imprisoned by Pashur the priest.  He was sitting in his harsh prison cell where he poured out his inner turmoil before God.  His prayer went back and forth between despair and faith.  As Jeremiah began his lament to the Lord, he claimed that the Lord “induced” or “persuaded” him into this ministry (vs. 7).  God’s call to him and this ministry had overwhelmed any resistance he had.  But now he saw that this ministry was bringing him only reproach and even danger from the people.  It seemed that every message that the Lord gave him to proclaim was one of judgment, which brought anger from the people (vs. 8).

God’s truth will often provoke a hostile reaction from the world (John 15:18-20).  We also know that a faithful ministry will frequently bring suffering (II Timothy 3:12).  It is not a popular thing to confront the world with its sin!

There were times when Jeremiah tried to stop preaching.  Being of a more mild-mannered nature than some of the other bolder prophets, he did not like confrontation.  However, God’s Word became like a burning fire in his bones (vs. 9).  He could not keep quiet for long, and he returned to bringing the Lord’s message.  God’s Word is living and active, as we read in Hebrews 4:12.  Jeremiah could not keep silent for long.  With the Holy Spirit empowering him, his human fear was set aside.  As believers today, we have the message of life.  Let’s not be afraid to share it with others.

As Jeremiah went about his work for the Lord, he knew about and even heard the plots that his enemies made (vs. 10).  Even some of his friends and acquaintances stood off and did not come to his defense in his time of need.  Faithfulness to God may isolate us from others.  Standing for the Lord and His truth and Word often means standing alone (II Timothy 4:16-17).

Halfway through this Scripture passage, Jeremiah shifted from feeling deep despair to having confidence (vs. 11).  God’s presence with him outweighed all of the opposition he was facing.  Jeremiah knew the Lord was true, just, and loving.  Under all of his anger, he trusted Him, so he left this whole situation in God’s hands and rested in the peace He brought.  God has promised us that He will defend His servants who faithfully obey Him (Romans 8:31).  The wicked will ultimately fail, and divine justice is certain even if it is delayed.  Jeremiah didn’t exact his own vengeance upon his enemies (vs. 12).  He submitted all judgment to God (Romans 12:19).

Our Scripture ends with Jeremiah giving praise to the Lord (vs. 13).  As we see, he praised God before he even saw his deliverance.  When we have faith in God, we can praise Him based on His promises, not on our circumstances.  Jeremiah could not keep silent when he had the message from God’s Word, and his enemies could not silence him. Although he struggled with deep discouragement, Jeremiah had a Helper through all of his trouble.  God promised Jeremiah when He called him to this ministry that He would be with him through it all (Jeremiah 1:19).  He did not desert His prophet then, and He will not desert us now.