27/06/2013 - LET THE LORD PERSUADE YOU

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O LORD, You induced me, and I was persuaded;You are stronger than I, and have prevailed.I am in derision daily; Everyone mocks me.

Jeremiah 20:7

Jeremiah was very reluctant in obeying, because the message of the Lord was very strong and it confronted everything the people of Judah wanted to hear. As servants, we should not choose what we would like to say or the people we’d like to speak to, because we have the obligation of satisfying His will. God knew that His people – who was dominated by sin – would not listen to Him, but He gave an order that His words should be declared.

The Lord fought with Jeremiah, and persuaded Jeremiah to obey Him. It wasn’t easy for the prophet to deliver the message that captivity was near; however, because he was a faithful and obedient man, Jeremiah was convinced that he should deliver this message, and he paid a high price for that. How about you: have you been obeying the Divine orders you receive?

God’s appeal was stronger than the prophet’s. This is what should happen to us also! We can only see what’s in front of us, but what’s hidden is what really makes the difference. God is omniscient and He always knows what’s best for us to do; that’s why His words should always be accepted. So if God calls you to be a minister of His kingdom, don’t think twice if you should obey Him or not. Be wise, for once you obey His order, there will be a reward.

The prophet was upset because he was being mocked every day. To be honest, it’s actually better to be mocked than to be condemned; it’s preferable to be ridiculed by men than to be possessed by a false happiness that comes from Satan. Whoever serves the Lord is always in the right place and, one day, after Jesus returns, shall be at His side forever. Those who learn to be servants shall inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 7:21)

Pray that the will of God always prevails instead of your own will; because when you’re away from His presence, you will fall into temptation, and it will be easy for you to consider right what’s wrong. Remember that only with the help from Heaven we can be free from the devil’s traps. Therefore, those who obey His commandments will find that their attitude helped them not to surrender to the will of the enemy.

If the wicked mock you, don’t be frustrated or sad. Be worried when the lost ones applaud you. If this is happening, it’s a sign that you aren’t doing well spiritually speaking, for the light doesn’t have communion with darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14). Whoever has a great prize reserved for them, should expect persecutions, lies and other kinds of suffering. (Matthew 5:10)

Not everybody accepted the Word through Jeremiah. Therefore, don’t be worried if the same happens to you. If in some situations the wicked people that are inside the house of the Lord rise against you, continue obeying the Lord, and you will see His glory.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares