When the Babylonian army left Jerusalem because of Pharaoh’s approaching army, Jeremiah started to leave the city on his way to the territory of Benjamin, to claim his share of the property among his relatives there. But as he was walking through the Benjamin Gate, a sentry arrested him and said, “You are defecting to the Babylonians!” The sentry making the arrest was Irijah son of Shelemiah, grandson of Hananiah. “That’s not true!” Jeremiah protested. “I had no intention of doing any such thing.” But Irijah wouldn’t listen, and he took Jeremiah before the officials. They were furious with Jeremiah and had him flogged and imprisoned in the house of Jonathan the secretary. Jonathan’s house had been converted into a prison. Jeremiah was put into a dungeon cell, where he remained for many days. Later King Zedekiah secretly requested that Jeremiah come to the palace, where the king asked him, “Do you have any messages from the LORD?” “Yes, I do!” said Jeremiah. “You will be defeated by the king of Babylon.” [Jeremiah 37.11-17]
I believe God has spoken to me specifically today through this passage of scripture.
Jeremiah was not popular. He was called by God and he stayed true to that call - even if it hurt.
Even when Jeremiah had already had the experience of being misunderstood - knowing that most everyone was against him, just waiting for an opportunity to kill him - he still answered Zedekiah in truth.
In other words, no matter how much the truth could potentially hurt Jeremiah, he stayed true to it.
For me, the lesson today is to stay true to God's Word even when it is not popular.
Is it any wonder that I feel this way today when, for weeks now, I have been sensing a strong message of repentance from my time with God?
No one wants to hear the message of repentance. I don't. We would mostly rather hear about God's love and grace, and how everything will be okay. We don't want to hear the "small detail" that we are living in sin and that that condition leaves us terribly vulnerable to every curse in the Bible for disobedience (Jesus or no).
No, instead of attributing the cursed condition of our lives to sin, we would rather have some glowing message of "God is good" and that we just need to believe and everything will be alright.
And. what's worse, some have even bought in to the highly erroneous idea that the punishment they may be experiencing is God's way of affirming them. (What kind of friend proves he loves you by hurting you???)
The message of repentance has never been well-received. I guess it never will.
But that does not make it any less relevant. The truth might put us in uncomfortable situations.
Father, I see the need for repentance more today than ever before.
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