Jeremiah 20:7-13 (NRSV)
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Verse 7O Lord, you have enticed me, and I was enticed; you have overpowered me, and you have prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me. Verse 8For whenever I speak, I must cry out, I must shout, "Violence and destruction!" For the word of the Lord has become for me a reproach and derision all day long. Verse 9If I say, "I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name," then within me there is something like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot. Verse 10For I hear many whispering: "Terror is all around! Denounce him! Let us denounce him!" All my close friends are watching for me to stumble. "Perhaps he can be enticed, and we can prevail against him, and take our revenge on him." Verse 11But the Lord is with me like a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble, and they will not prevail. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten. Verse 12O Lord of hosts, you test the righteous, you see the heart and the mind; let me see your retribution upon them, for to you I have committed my cause. Verse 13Sing to the Lord; praise the Lord! For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hands of evildoers.
Devotion
The texts for this week involve discipleship and its requirements, beginning with Jeremiah. This prophet had a difficult ministry for more than 40 years before and during the Babylonian exile of the 6th century B.C. For telling the truth, Jeremiah was ridiculed, abused – a laughingstock to many. Those who were the objects of Babylonian terror became a terror to the truth-telling prophet.
The seven laments in chapters 11-20 show how doubtful and discouraged Jeremiah became, today’s text being the sixth lament: Had the One who appointed him prophet to the nations from his youth (Jeremiah 1:4-10) deceived him? Should he stop speaking? No. God’s Word was an inner fire he could not hold in.
Babylon today? Look around. Some today will scorn a disciple who speaks against the deceit, unrestrained violence and smut of our day. Be silent? No. God’s Word remains a burning fire that directs and upholds us.
Prayer
You know, O God, both the good and bad of our times. You know how discouraged we can become. Give us the strength to be your disciples. We pray in the name of Jesus, who suffered all for us. Amen.