GO & PROCLAIM DO NOT BE AFRAID
Jer 20:10-13; Rom 5:12-15; Mt 10: 26-33
Green-Psalter Week-IV
(Overcoming discouragement and fear)
Fr Nelson Lobo OFM Cap
IDENTIFYING WITH JEREMIAH
Jeremiah was ordained by God to be a prophet while he was in the womb, and he was called to be a messenger of God. But this man who was called by God; ordained by God and commissioned by God somehow changed his tune in chapter 20. The chief officer of the temple, when he heard Jeremiah’s preaching, he beat him and put him in the stocks overnight. Jeremiah had been in serious trouble before, but this event is his first recorded physical suffering.
Jeremiah the prophet of God now begins to complain that God has deceived him. The God who can’t lie, Jeremiah says has deceived him. That word deceive means, to mislead, to make someone believe what is false. Jeremiah answered God’s call, but now he is the laughing-stock. Jeremiah’s consistent message had been that God will punish the people unless they repent. Guess what, the people have not repented, God has not punished them in the way Jeremiah predicted, and so Jeremiah is made the laughing-stock by the people.
If you feel God has deceived you, what would you do? Look what Jeremiah said “I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name”. Jeremiah had become weary, he was at the point of exhaustion, and it was at this point in his life when he said he would speak no more in the Name of the Lord. God’s prophet decided he was going to be silent but silence brings no peace. When you are called by God to share there will be no peace till you speak.
Sometimes in the Christian life we become weary, and may reach the point of wanting to give up, but don’t you give up. Elijah had just experienced the power of God there on Mount Carmel. He had a great mountain top experience, but shortly after he felt weary and hopeless because Jezebel was planning to slay him.
When you become weary, and sometimes you will, don’t forget Jeremiah; even though he said he would not speak nor mention God’s name any more, there was something on the inside compelling him to go on. When you feel God has forsaken you, when you feel God doesn’t care, when you feel you have been deceived, don’t forget Jeremiah, and just go on.
The world has pushed us in a corner through fear. It’s time to stand up! To stand up for truth, righteousness, and live a life that is free from intimidation. If you are God’s child there will be some suffering along the way. There is no easy sailing in the Christian life. Jeremiah had been led to undertake the prophetic mission with assurances of success and victory, and he was surprised when he was met only with contempt and apparent failure.
So many have entered the service of the Lord with much confidence. Like superman they had in mind to do great things for the Lord, but never thought of hurdles and persecutions and gossip. Are you surprised how this Christian journey has become a rollercoaster journey? Are you angry with God for what you are going through? Do you sometimes feel that God has deceived you and you want to go on a spiritual strike?
Witnessing our Faith
- GO TO THE LOST SHEEP. It is expected that all who are Christ’s disciples will be engaged in some type of mission in the church. The function of a shepherd is to seek and to save those who are lost. Other christians should research, plan and carry out the mission. Christians who are not involved in the mission of Christ are living in disobedience to the great commission (Matthew 28). Evangelisation is not an option for a disciple of Christ.
- FREELY GIVE. Our voluntary service to the church is an expression of our overflowing gratitude for what the Lord has done for us. He has forgiven us. He took our place on the Cross. So, we are called to serve with an attitude of gratitude to the grace of God. We are not to feel that we are doing a favour to God. We are not to seek attention and recognition for our services.
- MEET PEOPLES’ NEEDS. Jesus said, “Heal the sick, raise the dead, and cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.” (Mt. 10:8) Christ teaches us that we are to meet physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual needs of people we are ministering too. Jack Kemp said, “People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Missionaries in Africa are now reaping a great harvest of new souls because the pioneers set up hospitals and schools. Around 18th century there were less than 10 million Christians in Africa, today there are close to 400 million Christians in Africa because all their needs were met by the early missionaries.
- TRUST GOD FOR SUPPORT. Jesus said, “Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts. For the worker is worth is keep.” (Mt. 10:9) Know that the Lord will supply you with all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:19) Some people hesitate to come forward because they think they have no enough knowledge, resources or emotional or spiritual strength. Let them realize that when God guides, He provides. Hudson Taylor, the famous pioneer missionary to China, said, “God’s will done in God’s way will not lack God’s support.” The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you. So do not be afraid.
- EXPECT OPPOSITION. Jesus said, “Be on your guard against men, they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in the synagogues. This indicates that there will be opposition both from the world as well as within the church. We should prepare our minds and hearts to be strong in the Lord (Eph. 6:10-18). “Do not be overcome evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:21). David wrote, “Oh fear the Lord you, His saints. For to those who fear Him there is no want. The young lions may lack and suffer hunger, but they who seek the Lord will not lack one good thing.” (Psa. 34:9)
“FEAR & DISCOURAGEMENT kills the charism of the Church”.
