Holding Nothing Back

 Jeremiah was a faithful prophet of God. He was called by God to deliver a message that was very unpopular. The people did not want to hear the truth, but God commanded Jeremiah to speak the truth to them. After Gedaliah was appointed king over Judah by the Babylonians, he was killed by rebels. Jeremiah had stayed with the people, so later they came to him, asking him to pray to God and give them God's message for them. Jeremiah did just that, and he did not hold anything back. (Jeremiah 42:4) He knew they wouldn't receive the message, and they would get mad, but he declared the whole counsel of God. We need a lot of preachers who are like Jeremiah in America today.

As a preacher, it is tempting to take the message God lays on your heart and shape it to fit the audience. At times, it is easy to hold back on some things, because you know it will make some people mad. Then, other times, it is easy to be very bold and share very difficult things, because you feel like certain people need to hear it. Both of these approaches are wrong. When God gives a message to any preacher, we need to deliver the message just as He laid it on our heart, holding nothing back. We must not be people pleasers, and we must not give preference to one person or group over another. In reality, the audience doesn't shape the message. God designs each message to be given in His time and in His way, regardless of who likes it or doesn't like it. May God grant me and all of the preachers in America the grace and strength to do just that.

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Tomorrow, I intend to read Jeremiah 43-46.