Don’t Detour from the Path the Lord Has for You

Every job or role has its tough parts. I knew a man who worked as a forklift operator in a warehouse. He’d be (usually lightly) made fun of by his coworkers because half of the time he could sit on his forklift and be on his phone or take a quick nap. But when he was on, he was on! He had to fly back and forth for a long time with ceiling-high stacks of heavy goods. If he made a mistake he could ruin thousands of dollars of merchandise, and would get a good talking-to from the boss. Parenting, waiting on tables, doing surgery, managing a team, and just about everything else all have their fun and easy moments, and their tough and stressful moments.

Prophets had direct communication from God and could sometimes see the future or do miracles. Pretty fun! Overall, though, the Old Testament prophets had it tough. They were very often not well received.

Listen to how the people of Israel responded when Jeremiah the prophet preached to them in chapter 26 of his book:

But as soon as Jeremiah finished telling all the people everything the Lord had commanded him to say, the priests, the prophets and all the people seized him and said, “You must die! 9 Why do you prophesy in the Lord’s name that this house will be like Shiloh and this city will be desolate and deserted?” (Jeremiah 26:8-9)

The reaction of the people and their leaders is typical. It’s to be expected. Who wants to listen to a prophet say they’re in the wrong? Who wants to hear that their beloved . . . . city of Jerusalem and their temple will be destroyed? The messenger must die!

Jeremiah wasn’t fazed. He simply answered them, “Do what you have to.” “The Lord sent me to prophesy … all the things you have heard” (Jeremiah 26:12).

Christians can boast that by grace they are children of their heavenly Father who fills them with every spiritual blessing. They live under the protection of the Most High. All is directed for their good by God himself. They will be transformed with heavenly bodies in the place of perfect peace through faith in Jesus. What a glorious life!

But they all have their moments like Jeremiah. We all have our moments like Jeremiah. Try calling your friend and neighbors to repentance. Try living in holiness among those who are not even making an attempt. You often will not get a flattering response, even if it is the Word of God you are sharing.

Life with God is not intended to be easy all the time. Keep speaking the truth of Scripture. Don’t allow the tough spots to derail you from this wonderful life of living under God’s grace and eternal blessing!