"Write these things down." That is God's Word to Jeremiah. This is interesting because to this point, all of the oracles Jeremiah has been given have been spoken words.
Even a cursory reading of the text demonstrates that these spoken words have not been well received and understandably Jeremiah has at times been wearied by the process of preaching to unresponsive people.
The funny thing is, a preacher rarely gets the response he believes the message deserves. In his hours of preparation and study the preacher has often been powerfully taken by the Word of LORD that has been revealed to him. It is not unusual to emerge from the study with the conviction that this week's message may be the most important or most timely message you have ever preached. You can not wait to break these words for your people. (If this is not happening in your life, I pray it will this week.)
But then we preach...and await the floodgates of response.
And at times nothing visible ever happens. Even when there is a trickle of response we are deeply grieved and puzzled that there was not more. Jeremiah knew the feeling well. In fact, he didn't seem to know any other feeling. (The stadium crusade with countless streams of people coming down the aisle would have been unfathomable for him.)
But God told Jeremiah, "write these words down."
It was a powerful reminder to Jeremiah (and to us) that we don't always just preach for today. God was telling Jeremiah that even though the people were not ready to listen then, a time was coming when his words would be heard, needed and deeply cherished. His preaching was not in vain. The Word would not return void.
We do not have any way to know how God's Word is used in the lives of those we preach to. We do not know how God will use those words years down the road. We do not just preach for today.
Jeremiah would likely never see that day himself. But it is likely that several million people read his words this week alone. And people responded.
So as you preach this week, remember we do not just preach for today. But also keep in mind as you prepare this week....you are not just preaching for today!
Even a cursory reading of the text demonstrates that these spoken words have not been well received and understandably Jeremiah has at times been wearied by the process of preaching to unresponsive people.
The funny thing is, a preacher rarely gets the response he believes the message deserves. In his hours of preparation and study the preacher has often been powerfully taken by the Word of LORD that has been revealed to him. It is not unusual to emerge from the study with the conviction that this week's message may be the most important or most timely message you have ever preached. You can not wait to break these words for your people. (If this is not happening in your life, I pray it will this week.)
But then we preach...and await the floodgates of response.
And at times nothing visible ever happens. Even when there is a trickle of response we are deeply grieved and puzzled that there was not more. Jeremiah knew the feeling well. In fact, he didn't seem to know any other feeling. (The stadium crusade with countless streams of people coming down the aisle would have been unfathomable for him.)
But God told Jeremiah, "write these words down."
It was a powerful reminder to Jeremiah (and to us) that we don't always just preach for today. God was telling Jeremiah that even though the people were not ready to listen then, a time was coming when his words would be heard, needed and deeply cherished. His preaching was not in vain. The Word would not return void.
We do not have any way to know how God's Word is used in the lives of those we preach to. We do not know how God will use those words years down the road. We do not just preach for today.
Jeremiah would likely never see that day himself. But it is likely that several million people read his words this week alone. And people responded.
So as you preach this week, remember we do not just preach for today. But also keep in mind as you prepare this week....you are not just preaching for today!
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2 comments:
Marvelous post! Are those your own thoughts or did you steal them? I'm going to keep that & use it down the road (but I'll give credit, don't worry).
Joel
Ah, yes the classic "keep you humble complement" from Joel.
Thanks for reading.
Tim
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