Have We Been Deceived?

But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. (Jeremiah 20:9)

     Jeremiah, the prophet, starts out verse 7 of chapter 20 with an unbelievable statement: You deceived me, Lord, and I was deceived.

Are we ever let down when we speak the Word? How could Jeremiah say that? Those thoughts came into his head because he had preached and had gotten in trouble for it. He was publicly shamed in chains for a day for his message of God’s judgment. The temple officer and the people did not want to hear it.

     But did God really trick him? Not at all. Right from the start he . . . . told his prophet that the leaders and the nation in general would not like what he had to say (see 1:17-19).

     But it still can be tough. In that moment Jeremiah felt tricked in getting into ministry. He had to keep preaching judgment that hadn’t yet happened. And it appeared no one was listening and taking his message to heart.

We feel tricked when reality doesn’t meet expectations. The "sale" that wasn't really a sale. A store advertises "50% off," but the price was raised just before the sale, making the discount much smaller than it appears. A repair estimate that keeps growing. A mechanic or contractor gives an initial estimate, but additional charges keep appearing as the work progresses.

     Do you ever feel like Jeremiah? That the world is against your faith? That the Word is not working to change people as you would like? That you’ve been deceived about how Christian life will go?

     The reality is that the world around us unfortunately is not going to meet our expectations. But we keep speaking the Word that is a burning fire in our heart and bones.

     Even in this moment when he is down, Jeremiah still goes to the Lord. But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior …. Sing to the Lord! Give praise to the Lord! (20:11,13).

     Keep the faith! Praise the Lord. His Word is a burning fire within us. We just have to keep speaking. You haven’t been “tricked” into following the Christian faith. Trust that God will guide you and through you bring the truth to your community.