Jeremiah 28:5-9 (NRSV)
Read Jeremiah 28:5-9 on biblegateway.com
Verse 5Then the prophet Jeremiah spoke to the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the Lord; Verse 6and the prophet Jeremiah said, "Amen! May the Lord do so; may the Lord fulfill the words that you have prophesied, and bring back to this place from Babylon the vessels of the house of the Lord, and all the exiles. Verse 7But listen now to this word that I speak in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people. Verse 8The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war, famine, and pestilence against many countries and great kingdoms. Verse 9As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes true, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet."
Devotion
Jeremiah wasn’t the most popular guy in Jerusalem. When he insisted on speaking the truth about the coming destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, the people would not listen. Long before Jesus ever spoke of family divisions and taking up the cross to follow, Jeremiah was showing us what it looks like to serve God with one’s entire life. He lamented to God about the resistance he faced, but he still acknowledged God’s relentless presence, knowing that in the end God would prevail.
Of course, we can’t all be like Jeremiah. We aren’t all equipped with the resources or gifts to shake things up the way he did. However, we are all called to serve God in some way. Luther Seminary Professor Cameron Howard points this out, saying “But the world also needs leaders—from priests and prophets to kings and presidents, preachers and teachers, friends and influencers—who tell the truth.” The question is, in what ways is God calling you to serve?
Prayer
God, you are all about the truth. Help us to put our trust in you and to listen to you as you ask us to sometimes speak hard truths to those who don’t want to listen. Break open our hearts as well to seek you out and to serve you throughout our lives. Amen.
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