By Pastor William Y. K. Brown Ph.D
(Resident Pastor)
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Osu-Bethel.
Tel: 0244165628/0243310773.
wykbrown@gmail.com
GEMS FOR MEDITATION AND PRAYER
THEME FOR THE WEEK: FAITHFUL, EVEN IN SUFFERING: PART I
SUNDAY
THEME: JEREMIAH: THE LORD IS WITH ME“
SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 20:11
“But the Lord is with me as a mighty, awesome One. Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not prevail. They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not prosper. Their everlasting confusion will never be forgotten.”
REFLECTIONS:
Life is fraught with daily challenges. Each day brings its unique trials and difficulties. None has it all good at all times. Our days are sprinkled with good and evil, sweet and bitter, joy and sadness, hope and despair, etc., but we have a solution and comfort in our God.
Jeremiah was a prophet of God, sanctified for the office of a prophet before he was even born. God declares in Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born, I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” That all-knowing God determined that Jeremiah would be His mouthpiece. His responsibility to warn the people of Judah and Jerusalem was scary and life-threatening. But God assured him of His presence. Verses 7 and 8 state:
“[7]But the Lord said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak. [8]Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord.” If God is with you, you cannot plead for less.
His life was threatened throughout his ministry because the messages were not palatable to the intended audience. They could not contain or entertain Jeremiah’s prophecies condemning their practices. He complained to God about the stiff-neckedness of the people, especially priests and people in authority. He confessed (his sixth confession) – Jeremiah 20:7-9 – [7]O Lord, You induced me, and I was persuaded . . . I am in derision daily; Everyone mocks me. [8]For when I spoke, I cried out; . . . the word of the Lord was made to me A reproach and a derision daily. [9]Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name.” But His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not.” In verse 10, he said: “For I heard many mocking: “Fear on every side!” You may have experienced what Jesus went through, and you can quickly identify with him. However, there is hope and victory at the end.
In those trying and dreary days, Jeremiah asserted, “But the Lord is with me as a mighty, awesome One. Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not prevail. They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not prosper . . .” – Verse 11. Beloved, your assurance of relief and victory is in God. You cannot do without Him. You may attempt to deny Him, but it will be to your detriment. Rejoice today that Jesus Christ is with you (Matthew 28:20).
MY SONG OF COMMITMENT
SDAH 607 – “God of Grace and God of Glory”
LET US PRAY
– Praise and thank God for a new week; thank God for being with you in the past week; pray to trust God for His presence and grace to accomplish more this week;
– Pray for people who face severe challenges at school, the workplace, in their homes, neighborhood, and the church;
– Pray for honest ministers of the gospel, evangelists, and believers working in non-Christian communities; pray for sponsors of religious activities – children and youth development, family life, vulnerable members’ welfare, etc.;
– Pray for a peaceful and progressive country with accountable leadership; pray for the salvation of those who are yet to know Christ, divine healing for the sick, and comfort for the mourning.
