God's Word Must Be as a Fire in Our Bones

Note from today’s Bible reading: Jeremiah 18-22

Jeremiah was called by God to prophesy for Him, yet he faced severe opposition from others because of this. While he tried to warn the people to repent in order to be spared from the judgment that was coming, he became “a laughingstock,” was mocked, and faced “reproach and derision” (Jeremiah 20:7-8).

Understandably, this was discouraging for the prophet. He was tempted to “not remember [God] or speak anymore in His name” because even his “trusted friends” turned against him (Jeremiah 20:9-10).

However, despite all of this, Jeremiah knew he could not keep silent. He described the word of God as “a burning fire shut up in [his] bones; and [he was] weary of holding it in” (Jeremiah 20:9). Though he faced opposition from every side, he recognized that God was on his side “like a dread champion” so that his “persecutors will stumble and not prevail” (Jeremiah 20:11). Therefore, he kept speaking what God told him to say. Even though it was unpopular, it was true and needed.

We live in a similar environment where the word of God is derided, and those who teach it are mocked and ridiculed. It is tempting to just keep silent. Yet we must not allow a godless culture to pressure us into keeping God’s word to ourselves.

So God’s word must be as a fire in our bones. We have a message that is true and eternally important. Therefore, let us be more concerned with the souls of others than we are with their opinions, and keep holding out the word of God to try to find anyone willing to listen.