Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Lutheran Seminary God Pause "Moved by the Promise" Read Jeremiah 20:7-13

Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Lutheran Seminary God Pause "Moved by the Promise" Read Jeremiah 20:7 Yahweh, you have persuaded me, and I was persuaded; you are stronger than I, and have prevailed: I am become a laughing-stock all the day, every one mocks me. 8 For as often as I speak, I cry out; I cry, Violence and destruction! because Yahweh’s word is made a reproach to me, and a derision, all the day. 9 If I say, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name, then there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with forbearing, and I can’t. 10 For I have heard the defaming of many, terror on every side. Denounce, and we will denounce him, say all my familiar friends, those who watch for my fall; perhaps he will be persuaded, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him. 11 But Yahweh is with me as an awesome mighty one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail; they shall be utterly disappointed, because they have not dealt wisely, even with an everlasting dishonor which shall never be forgotten. 12 But, Yahweh of Armies, who tests the righteous, who sees the heart and the mind, let me see your vengeance on them; for to you have I revealed my cause. 13 Sing to Yahweh, praise Yahweh; for he has delivered the soul of the needy from the hand of evildoers.(World English Bible)
Pain is your body's way of communicating with you. If you are exercising and you feel pain, the pain tells you that the exercise is working. If you are in the kitchen and you lean your hand against the stove, the pain tells you to remove your hand from the stove. Pain hurts; it is unpleasant, but it can be a gift sometimes.
Jeremiah had that gift. When he found himself in that difficult dilemma where he had to choose between doing the popular thing and the righteous thing, pain interceded. He described this as "burning fire shut up in the bones." (verse 9) He could say, I was tempted to ignore God's call for me to be a prophet, but then his body told his conscience "no."
As leaders in the church, be we pastors, diaconal ministers, or church council members, we are sometimes called to make difficult decisions that are not always popular. And, if we are honest with ourselves, we can recall those occasions when we chose the "path of least resistance."
The problem is, those moments become painful only after the fact. I wish God would give me the gift of "burning bones" every time I am tempted to follow the path that is the opposite of the direction God is leading me.
God Almighty, when called to be your prophet, give me the courage to follow your will. Make my bones burn every time I am tempted to ignore your prophetic call. Amen.
Jeff Gross
Pastor, Living Lord Lutheran Church, Lakewood Ranch, Fla. 
Master of Divinity , 1994
Jeremiah 20:7 O Lord, you have enticed me, and I was enticed; you have overpowered me, and you have prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me.
8 For whenever I speak, I must cry out, I must shout, "Violence and destruction!" For the word of the Lord has become for me a reproach and derision all day long.
9 If I say, "I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name," then within me there is something like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.
10 For I hear many whispering: "Terror is all around! Denounce him! Let us denounce him!" All my close friends are watching for me to stumble. "Perhaps he can be enticed, and we can prevail against him, and take our revenge on him."
11 But the Lord is with me like a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble, and they will not prevail. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten.
12 O Lord of hosts, you test the righteous, you see the heart and the mind; let me see your retribution upon them, for to you I have committed my cause.

13 Sing to the Lord; praise the Lord! For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hands of evildoers.(New Revised Standard Version)
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