LIFE UNDER THE BOILING POT

In chapter one of the book of Jeremiah, God calls the prophet. Jeremiah is only a young person, not confident of his ability yet the Lord reaches out His hand and touches Jeremiah’s mouth. Life will never be the same.

 

         Jeremiah, ready or not, is appointed in the moment “over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”

If Jeremiah was hoping for a small spot of service where he could worship and not have too much responsibility – he was in for the shock of his life.

 

         God says, “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you.”

 

         God asked Jeremiah, “What do you see?” One of the answers from Jeremiah: “I see a boiling pot, tilting away from the north.”

I wonder what Jeremiah was thinking when he gave God that answer.

         “I must sound crazy.”

         “I have no idea what the boiling pot means.”

         “I hope I’m seeing this right.”

 

         Haven’t we been there as believers in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior? As readers of God’s Word, don’t we question what is plainly in front of us? It is so out of line with what we see surrounding us. We are going to sound like nuts. Sometimes don’t we even hope that we aren’t going to have to be the ones to say it?

 

         God told Jeremiah the boiling pot represented the disaster He was about to pour out on all the people in the land. Why? …  Because they were wicked in forsaking God … because they were worshipping other gods … because they were worshipping what their hands had made.

 

         Life under the boiling pot … because the people had turned away from God. Somebody was going to have to tell the people why they were living under judgment. The religious and political leaders were not going to like the message. Jeremiah was called to be that someone. Because people who live under a boiling pot need to move in a different direction.

 

         So who are we today? Are we living under a boiling pot of judgment from God because we have turned from His ways? Are we the person called to “Get yourself ready”? Are we the ones in positions of leadership who don’t want to hear a message of correction?

 

         Chapter one of Jeremiah ends with these words: “They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you, declares the Lord”

 

         I think I’ll take my chances with the world disliking me and say what God says …  since it turns out my rescue is certain.

 

         Have a safe day and speak up.