The Struggle of a Preacher
Jeremiah begins to lament once more in chapter 15.
Jeremiah 15:15 (ESV) O LORD, you know; remember me and visit me, and take vengeance for me on my persecutors. In your forbearance take me not away; know that for your sake I bear reproach.
His first words here are so important. He acknowledges that the Lord knows his struggles. And that's true. The Lord really does know the struggles of those who serve Him. He knows what we do for Him and how we work for Him.
Jeremiah 15:16 (ESV) Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.
The preacher loves the Word of God. The idea of "finding" them speaks to the truths revealed as one meditates over them again and again. You never run out of insights to "find" in the Word of God.
Jeremiah 15:17 (ESV) I did not sit in the company of revelers, nor did I rejoice; I sat alone, because your hand was upon me, for you had filled me with indignation.
The preacher must avoid the "party crowd". The boisterous ramblings of men do not produce in the preacher the insights gained from heaven. Not only does he avoid the party scene, the preacher is used to being alone while he examines the Word of God. He knows that the Word of God is a personal conversation that produces inward conviction that leads to public confidence and persuasion. You must diligently seek to hear God's voice for yourself if you would preach for Him.
Jeremiah 15:18 (ESV) Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Will you be to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail?
There will be times in the life of a preacher when it seems nothing works. The pain of knowing how people hurt their lives as they run from God is an inescapable reality. The wound of sin runs deep and long.
After Paul recounts his physical beatings and persecutions for Christ, he recounts the very real sense of pain over the sins of those under his lead:
2 Corinthians 11:28–29 (ESV) apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?
Now this next verse is shocking.
Jeremiah 15:19 (ESV) Therefore thus says the LORD: “If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them.
Jeremiah had wandered from his calling. Wow. Can you believe it? The prophets of the Old Testament did not perfectly carry out the mission. And God, in love and grace, calls Him back not only to restore him but to speak as though speaking the very words of God.
Jeremiah 15:20–21 (ESV) And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, declares the LORD. 21 I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.”
God renews the promise He made to Jeremiah in chapter 1. Remember that?
Jeremiah 1:18–19 (ESV) And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the LORD, to deliver you.”
The preacher is also prone to wander. But just as the message of the Lord is grace to wandering sinners, that same message comes to the sinning preacher. What good news to know that even weary struggling preachers can come home to God and find renewed mission in Him.
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