"Therefore thus says the Lord: "If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them. “And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, declares the Lord. “I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless."
Jeremiah 15:19-21
Jeremiah had been debating the value of his ministry. The people weren’t listening to his call to repentance and faith. Now there were even threats against his life by those who hated what he was sent to tell them. Even his friends and family were against him. He was ready to quit.
As he went to God in prayer in His discouragement, this was the Lord’s reply.
The church today, the faithful church that still preaches God’s Word in truth and purity, is in a similar situation. It’s tempting to compromise with a world that has turned its back on God. It would be so much easier to just be quiet about some things that are hot-button issues in our day. People don’t just quit listening; they get irate and even violent when we give God’s opinion about certain sins.
But the reply is the same to us today as it was to Jeremiah: God’s Word is still God’s Word; the truth has not changed, it’s still as true as it ever was, there can be no compromise, and God still promises that He will be with His faithful people to deliver us.
Stand strong! By your life and by your speech, in a spirit of tender love, be the moral and spiritual immovable wall that shows your loved ones where God’s limits are, and where safety and deliverance can be found.
Let them turn to you in repentance and faith, by God’s grace; don’t you turn to them in compromise. This world needs faithful prophets now more than ever.
Lord, You know the constant pressure we face to be quiet, or to compromise Your Word in order to be accepted by the world. Have mercy on Your Church. Give us strength to stand on Your Word in a spirit of meekness and gentleness, so that Your Holy Spirit can reach and save those who hear, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Pastor Dan Giles