Text: Jeremiah 38:1-10
Memory Verse: “Therefore the princes said to the king, ‘Please, let this man be put to death, for thus he weakens the hands of the men of war who remain in this city, and the hands of all the people,by speaking such words to them. For this man does not seek the welfare of this people, but their harm’” (Jeremiah 38:4).
Jeremiah had a message from God that did not go down well with the Jprinces of the land. It seemed impossible that God would want His peopleto surrender to the enemy and allow themselves to be taken away to another land. But that was exactly what God wanted. The outcome was that Jeremiah got punished for doing right, speaking the mind of God as it had been revealed to him. Being on the Lord’s side is always costly because, naturally, men would rather
please themselves and others. Such was the case when King Ahab, at King Jehoshaphat’s insistence, asked his prophets what the outcome of going to war with Ramoth Gilead would be. Zedekiah and others told him what they knew he wanted to hear and urged Micaiah to do the same. Micaiah refused to lie and was punished for it (2 Chronicles 18:12-18).
Honouring and obeying God is more important than men’s affirmation. Every child of God, like Joseph, must be willing to obey Him no matter how juicy the reward or high the stakes (Genesis 39:7-12). Jesus gave us the perfect example when He allowed Himself to be crucified by ungodly men for teaching the truth. He taught us to love those who spitefully use us. Finally, Peter teaches, “For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully… because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:19-21).
Prayer Points:
1. Lord, grant me more grace to live in obedience to You, no matter the cost.
2. Pray for strength for those suffering unjustly for doing right.