Free audio sermons: Get free audio sermons through this free Christan sermon podcast!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Why the Fire Burned


Jeremiah felt a fire in his bones. What was its source?

For years I wondered why firefighters carried axes to
the scenes of fires. Hadn't the fire done enough damage
without chopping away at the remaining roof or walls?
Then I learned that those axes serve a valuable purpose:
They uncover smoldering hot spots that might later ignite.
It keeps the firemen from having to return.

A famous passage in the Bible regarding fire is found in
Jeremiah 20. Jeremiah had to confront strong opposition
to the message he preached. And why did he preach that
unpopular message? It was what the Lord gave him to
speak. In verses 7 and 8 he described those who opposed
him: "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. For when I spoke, I cried out;
I shouted, 'Violence and plunder!' Because the word of
the Lord was made to me a reproach and a derision daily"
(NKJV). The prophet faced hecklers whenever he spoke,
and it was getting wearisome.

Jeremiah resolved what any of us likely would have:
"Then I said, 'I will not make mention of him, nor
speak anymore in his name'" (v. 9a). But that plan
didn't work for long: "... But his word was in my heart
like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of
holding it back, and I could not" (v. 9b).

That kind of motivation to speak up for the Lord is needed
in all ages. Jeremiah was not the first to face opposition
for preaching the truth, and he wasn't the last. But where
was the "hot spot" in this man that compelled him to speak
up for God when others fought him?

He pointed to the source in verse 11: "But the Lord is with
me as a mighty, awesome one. Therefore my persecutors will
stumble, and will not prevail. They will be greatly ashamed,
for they will not prosper. Their everlasting confusion will
never be forgotten." Beyond the daily frustration of fighting
the enemies of God, Jeremiah could see the awesome Lord for
whom he spoke. That was what kept the fire burning in his
heart. That was how he could press on against such great
opposition.

When problems come, we can't help but focus on the problems.
When they are especially large, we grow discouraged. But the
same formula that worked for Jeremiah will work for us. By
shifting our focus from the trials to the almighty God we
serve, we'll find new courage and energy. We'll soon be able
to exult with words like Jeremiah's: "Sing to the Lord!
Praise the Lord! For he has delivered the poor from the hand
of the evildoers" (Jeremiah 20:13).
 
-- Tim Hall
Get a wide variety of Bible commentary and Bible study materials at http://www.abiblecommentary.com today.  There are even FREE text sermons - http://www.abiblecommentary.com/freesermons, FREE  audio sermons - http://www.abiblecommentary.com/audiosermons, and a FREE on-line commentary on the book of Romans:  http://bit.ly/3MRU5I 
 

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

How to be saved

Are you wondering how to be saved? Are you searching for information on how to be saved? Do you want to know what God requires you to do to be saved from your sins? Learn how to be saved from sin and have heaven you home by visiting http://www.abiblecommentary.com/newtestamentchristianity today! There is also a good discussion on how to be saved at http://www.commentaryonthebible.com/howtobesaved

Bible commentary search engine

On line Bible commentary

My Bible commentary books are now listed on openlibrary.org, a VERY useful web site! Check out this neat web site and my profile there at this link: http://openlibrary.org/people/abible

Commentary on the Bible listing

Yelp.com has helped me promote the "Bible commentary" products from www.abiblecommentary.com - my "yelp listing" is here: http://abiblecommentary.yelp.com

Flickr.com Bible commentary profile

I added my "Bible commentary" profile to flickr and it was EASY! Check it out at http://www.flickr.com/people/abiblecommentary/

Blogs from www.livejournal.com

Are you interested in blogging? If you are looking for a "free blog" that is EASY to use, check out www.livejournal.com. You can be up in running in just minutes - here is my first "Bible commentary" blog post: http://abible.livejournal.com/

Blog Archive