No More Fire in the Bones

Daily Scripture Threshing for Monday, February 28, 2022

Today’s Text: Jeremiah 20:7-12

Key Verse: Jeremiah 20:9 (ESV): “If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.”

If you were asked to carry out prophet Jeremiah’s rather difficult task of prophesying to your President and Congress that because of their sin, the nation would be subsumed by their enemy, and forcibly removed from the position, what would you do? What would be your first reaction? Especially, if, like Jeremiah, you have been imprisoned for speaking the truth; or, you have been criticized by others, and wrongly censured. What would you do? How would you react if speaking the truth were to be like a death threat or death sentence? Or, if daring to be different makes people view you as a traitor; and all your good deeds, sacrifices for the people, and powerful prophesies of God’s deliverance are totally forgotten—and you are now perceived as an enemy of the state—what would you do?

In many ways, standing up for God and speaking the truth today would not be very different from 626 BC when Jeremiah prophesied against all idolatrous practices of his nation. Today’s “What do we want? Justice. When do we want it? Now!” Is not very different from Jeremiah’s cry to shut down injustice and idolatry in Israel. What is different is Jeremiah's attitude to the truth and ours. This text reveals how Jeremiah was different in every respect from the postmodern church and prophets who are intimidated and afraid of the people and those in power.

Today’s church is careful that their comments may arouse the anger of people, other priests, prophets, or those in power. Whereas Jeremiah was put under a gag order by the government and warned not to speak in public anymore, they could not stop him. Whereas we are under government-supported public freedom of speech, we cannot speak out. Some questions remain to be asked: Has God changed His mind about the character of truth? Are all government-sponsored or ignored atrocities not a concern to God? Has God changed His ministers' job description solely to those of prayer contractors? What are the prophets doing about the unprovoked crises of the hijab? Are nepotism, despotism, and terrorism no more of concern to God? Are there no more Jeremiahs of God? Not even a Baruch to drafted up and declare these things before the King? Is there no more fire in the bones?

Quote for the Day: “The strongest enemies of this generation are not Satan and his cohorts. They are disruption of truth by the church, and distortion of moral right by our prophets.” (Simon Olatunji)

Prayer: Dear Lord, please turn us back to you again. Give us voice again, Lord, and make your truth, known, spoken and heard by all necessary means — in Jesus’ name. Amen.

With all my Love and Prayers,

Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.

Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

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[Daily Scripture Threshing is a devotional guide of The House of Prayer Evangel Church USA distributed for free use by individuals, small groups, families and Christian churches]

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