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Topic: Under Fire
[DCLM Daily Manna 25 April 2020 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
Text: Jeremiah 20:7-18
7 O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.
8 For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily.
9T hen I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.
10 For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.
11 But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.
12 But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause.
13 Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.
14 Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed.
15 Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A man child is born unto thee; making him very glad.
16 And let that man be as the cities which the LORD overthrew, and repented not: and let him hear the cry in the morning, and the shouting at noontide;
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17 Because he slew me not from the womb; or that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb to be always great with me.
18 Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?
KEY VERSE: “Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” – (Jeremiah 20:9)
MESSAGE:
One of the most gifted speakers in church history was John Chrysostom. The name comes from a Greek word meaning ‘golden tongue’. John was sent from Antioch to what was then Constantinople, where he preached fearlessly in the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. His denunciation of the lavish extravagance of the rich and ruling class and his condemnation of excess, infuriated many, including Empress Eudoxia who arranged for him to be exiled. But John held firm to his faith, and never compromised though under the most extreme conditions.
Also Read: Open Heaven 25 April 2020 – Ours is a Bequeathed Victory!
Prophet Jeremiah had endured so much persecution and opposition from his own countrymen, especially from the rulers and his fellow priests who denounced him as a paid agent of the Chaldeans because he prophesied about Israel’s coming captivity to Babylon. He was ridiculed, put in prison several times and almost killed. It appeared the pains and injuries had taken its toll on Jeremiah who felt very discouraged but later regained his composure.
Preaching is not a profession but a passion. It is an assignment given by God that requires grace to fulfil. It is like swimming against the tide, especially when, like Jeremiah, you are charged with the responsibility of warning nations about the coming judgment of God. Words are insufficient to describe the deep inner agony and burdens preachers endure.
Despite all the pains, the preacher is not expected to betray the trust but to stand firm as God’s messenger of hope and life to those who mourn. While in pains themselves, servants of God minister comfort to others. While bearing so much injury personally, the pastors, in addition, bear the burdens of others. Please pray for your pastor! Through your prayer, he will obtain more grace to offer sacrificial service to the Lord.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Praying for your pastor amounts to edifying the body of Christ.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Joshua 1-4
