Jeremiah 25:3 (New International Version) For twenty-three years--from the thirteenth year of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah until this very day--the word of the LORD has come to me and I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not listened.
For twenty three years, Jeremiah preached the Word of God to people who would not listen. I am amazed at Jeremiah’s persistence and commitment to continue preaching. I think about some of my own efforts and even my church, we actively spread the Word of God over a few weeks and when we don’t perceive any “fruits of our labor", what do we do? We quit and say it isn’t working. We question the approach convinced we have missed a critical piece. I am amazed at how quickly we are willing to throw in the towel.
Jeremiah sets an interesting example for us on the meaning of persistence and commitment. Considering Jeremiah’s lived during the times leading up to and including the Babylonian captivity, I am even more amazed with his persistence. Did Jeremiah ever want to quit? From the beginning Jeremiah doesn’t feel he was fit to be a prophet of God.
Jeremiah 1:6 (New International Version) "Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child."
Jeremiah’s life is filled with hardships, threats on his life and the continual rejection of the message that he delivered. I think we would be safe to assume that Jeremiah more than once wanted to quit. Yet, Jeremiah persisted and keep faithfully preaching the message and obeying God’s call no matter what the outcome.
We need that level of faith and commitment: to share, to follow, to teach when Our Lord Jesus Christ calls. We need to be more concerned about the accuracy of message from the Holy Scriptures then the statistical outcome of the message. We need to move forward believing the truth given in the book of Hebrews, Chapter 11 that our obedience to His calling will produce fruit, but we may not see it. That is the kind of faith that Jeremiah possessed. He followed even when he was reluctant to do so. Jeremiah knew that the Triune God is powerful and capable of using us in all things for His glory. I pray that we may also echo that sentiment as we answer the calling of Jesus Christ.
