Are you overwhelmed by Jesus right now?
Yes, it’s a convicting question, but it reveals so much. Jeremiah was consumed by the Lord and from that relationship would come the conviction to lead others. However, it was difficult when no one was listening. So, Jeremiah decided to quit. Yes, he says that here in Chapter 20.
“Whenever I speak, I have to cry out and shout, “Violence! Destruction!” LORD, I am ridiculed and scorned all the time because I proclaim your message.”
Jeremiah 20:8 GNB
Jeremiah was continually humiliated. He was mocked and scorned, much like our Savior Jesus Christ. They even came up with a nickname for him
“For I have heard the whispering of many, “Terror on every side! Denounce him; yes, let us denounce him!”
Jeremiah 20:10a NASB
The Hebrew word translated “terror on every side” is ‘Magor-missabib.’ Apparently, Jeremiah must have used this term quite often because the people referred to him as old ‘Magor-missabib.’ Naturally, when this happens to us, we want to stop. We are ready to throw in the towel and escape to some kind of comfort or pleasure. Jeremiah wants to quit as well.
“But when I say, “I will forget the LORD and no longer speak in his name,” then your message is like a fire burning deep within me. I try my best to hold it in, but can no longer keep it back.”
Jeremiah 20:9 GNB
What a powerful image! Though he felt the humiliation from man and wanted to give up, the fire of God burned inside of him until he couldn’t contain it any longer. So I go back to my original question – are you overwhelmed by Jesus right now? When Jesus overwhelms us with grace and truth, we will be empowered with a fire that cannot be stopped. We will rise above others’ opinions, cultural norms, and even death itself in order to serve our Lord and Savior. Is this you today? What needs to happen for you to be overwhelmed by Jesus?