Jeremiah 37: 3, "Please pray to the Lord our God on our behalf." 

Ministry can at times be frustrating and confusing.  King Zedekiah, his officials, and the people of the land refused to listen to the Word of the Lord through Jeremiah (v. 2).  As the foreign armies were gathering and the prophecies of Jeremiah were being realized, these same people that ignored the prophet wanted him to pray to the Lord for them?  Jeremiah responded by giving them the Word of the Lord. Although it would not be received well, this was the will and Word of God (vv. 6-10).  Then, after giving the Word, Jeremiah was beaten and thrown in jail by the same officials (v. 15).  The king then sends a message to Jeremiah requesting a Word from the Lord (v. 17).  What? The king desired to hear the Word, then rejected the Word, punished the prophet, asked him for another Word, and then punished him again for giving the Word. 

Ministry can be frustrating as we seek to deliver the Word of God faithfully, and yet the reaction/response can leave us confused and discouraged.  The next time you get frustrated in ministry, think of Jeremiah.  When a servant is disobedient to the Word of God and he faces the consequences, this is to be expected because God is just.  But when a servant faithfully proclaims the Word, prays diligently, and is constantly under attack, don't we struggle to see God's justice in this?  We will not always see justice for those who reject the Word of the Lord so that they receive the discipline and justice we think they deserve.  However, we can learn much from the Prophet.  Although it did not seem to make sense, he unflinchingly stayed the course of obedience to God and faithfully delivered the Word of God.  Do not let the frustrations in ministry and the fickleness of people keep us from faithfulness to God or keep us from God's calling on our life!

 In  Christ,
Tommy Middleton

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