Can We Handle The Truth?
BRD REFLECTIONS
Jeremiah 26 and Psalm 30 (NIV)
(Barnabas Ng, DISCIPLE Facilitator, Discipleship & Nurture)
READ:
Jeremiah 26 and Psalm 30 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
“Most people don’t really want the truth; they just want a constant reassurance that what they believe is the truth”
Jeremiah stirred up a hornet’s nest when he said that God’s judgement would be upon His people if the people did not turn back from their evil ways. The truth hurt so much that the religious leaders, worshippers, and false prophets laid hold of Jeremiah and threatened him with death. Interestingly, Jeremiah 26 highlights the responses of a messenger of truth and the responses of those who are recipients of truth.
God’s Messenger of Truth
- Be courageous – Jeremiah stood his ground even when threatened with death. He knew his calling was to speak the word given by God and not sugar coat the message such that it would sooth the souls of the people around him. (Jeremiah 26:14)
Recipients of the message
- The Choice is yours – Repent or Ignore. Jeremiah 26:16-24 sums it up well. The choice is yours! Do the people want to be like Hezekiah who feared the Lord and entreated the favour of the Lord, or do they want to be like King Jehoiakim who went all out to pursue the messenger all the way to Egypt and dragged him back to Jerusalem to be executed.
APPLY:
In the current times, it seems easier to be quiet and let matters evolve on their own. After all it might not be our problem. However, Jeremiah 26 brought out 2 points for us to put into practice as we live out our role as God’s ambassador and witness in this world.
- Speak the truth and stand firm – In times when the truth is not welcome and we may even risk getting ourselves “cancelled,” it does feel safer to hide in the shadows and let matters play out in the world on their own. However, we are called to be His light in this darkened world, the lighthouse in a hazardous landscape. We are called to uphold the truth and stand firm. Does that mean we have to go around passing judgement on everyone around us? No, our calling is to share His truth and allow God to do the rest.
- Make the right choice. Yes, truth hurts but the truth will set us free (John 8:31). By acknowledging the truth, and confessing our wrong doing, we take the first step towards healing and freedom. Likewise, by admitting to others that we have wronged them, we begin the process of reconciliation. Often, however, we refuse to accept the truth due to our pride or we are not brave enough to face it.
DO:
With the shift in cultures and secular belief and inclusiveness, sometimes it is hard to take our stand and hold fast to the truth of the matter. But I know that God demands of me no less and I can continue to uphold the truth without diminishing the love that God has for everyone.
PRAY:
Dear God, I pray that in these changing times, may you grant me the boldness to speak forth your word with love and conviction and the courage to accept and listen to your words and guidance that you have for me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen!
