WEDNESDAY January 25, 2017
Suffering for Righteousness
Jeremiah, known as the weeping prophet, shared and begged the people of Israel to listen to the Lord. He had such a miserable time dealing with their rebelliousness. They not only persecuted Jeremiah with their words they imprisoned him in a cistern where he sunk into the mud:
So they took Jeremiah and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the king’sson, which was in the court of the prison, and they let Jeremiah down with ropes. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire. So Jeremiah sank in the mire (Jeremiah 38:6).
Imagine, as Jeremiah continued his ministry as the prophet to Israel, he questioned the Lord, as if to say, “Why am I here?” The Lord reminded Jeremiah of what he was told from the beginning of his call (Jeremiah 1:6-8), the people would be hostile towards him––it would not be easy.
God called Jeremiah to bring a message of judgment to His people. After he preached the Babylonians came. The Assyrian king Sennacherib conquered Israel and the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar made three sieges against Jerusalem within a three year period, conquering the city. King Nebuchadnezzar was used to fulfill God’s judgment on His people.
It is important to understand that when Christians become carnal, fleshly and rebellious they can become a real problem. Believers not walking in the Spirit can offend and hurt other Christians by their actions. Those walking in righteousness can suffer at the hands of those not walking with the Lord as they should. What should a Christian do in such cases?
Seriously, the best thing you can do is pray for them as God will convict them and chasten them if need be. Christians need to speak the truth in love and forgive those who have offended them. (Matthew 18:15; Ephesian 4:15, 32). It is important to keep your eyes on the Lord and not on the people, or you will become stumbled by their bad behavior.
…You follow Me.
~John 21:22~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!