Ministry was not easy for Jeremiah. His call was to preach a hard word to a hard people at a hard time. For Jeremiah life rarely deviated from this experience.
And the truth is, it wore on the man. In fact, by Jeremiah 15 we see a prophet in retreat. While he does not curse the day he was born...he does regret it. His frustration stems from the fact that he has done everything God has asked (vv. 16-17) yet his “a pain is unceasing” (v. 18)
The result seems to be that Jeremiah has walked away from ministry (v. 19).
In grace, the LORD invites Jeremiah to return with the promise of restoration.
What intrigues me is that Jeremiah’s recall to ministry is nearly identical to his original call to ministry. He is to speak God’s words (“you shall be my mouth”). It will be difficult and his life will be endangered. But God will protect him and deliver him throughout. The need has not changed, the call has not changed and God has not changed.
I am convinced that every once in a while all ministers need to be recalled to the ministry. Not all have packed up boxes or written any letters, but they are in retreat all the same. We need to return our hearts, our minds and our bodies to the hard work of being the “mouth of God*” to our generation.
May God bless your ministry today and if you need it, may you be blessed with great recall today.
Tim
* Note Jeremiah could only serve as the “mouth of God” as he consumed His Words and spoke “what is precious not what is worthless”. This is a role of pure awe and humility.
And the truth is, it wore on the man. In fact, by Jeremiah 15 we see a prophet in retreat. While he does not curse the day he was born...he does regret it. His frustration stems from the fact that he has done everything God has asked (vv. 16-17) yet his “a pain is unceasing” (v. 18)
The result seems to be that Jeremiah has walked away from ministry (v. 19).
In grace, the LORD invites Jeremiah to return with the promise of restoration.
What intrigues me is that Jeremiah’s recall to ministry is nearly identical to his original call to ministry. He is to speak God’s words (“you shall be my mouth”). It will be difficult and his life will be endangered. But God will protect him and deliver him throughout. The need has not changed, the call has not changed and God has not changed.
I am convinced that every once in a while all ministers need to be recalled to the ministry. Not all have packed up boxes or written any letters, but they are in retreat all the same. We need to return our hearts, our minds and our bodies to the hard work of being the “mouth of God*” to our generation.
May God bless your ministry today and if you need it, may you be blessed with great recall today.
Tim
* Note Jeremiah could only serve as the “mouth of God” as he consumed His Words and spoke “what is precious not what is worthless”. This is a role of pure awe and humility.
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1 comment:
Tim,
Enjoyed the blog about Recall to the ministry and what God has called you too. Looking anew at job requests, has forced me to think about and be reminded by what God has called Christine and I to.
Andrew
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