” In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from the Lord, saying, 2 “Thus says the Lord: ‘Stand in the court of the Lord’s house, and speak to all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord’s house, all the words that I command you to speak to them. Do not diminish a word. 3 Perhaps everyone will listen and turn from his evil way, that I may relent concerning the calamity which I purpose to bring on them because of the evil of their doings.’” Jeremiah 26:1-3 NKJV
“So the priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the Lord. 8 Now it happened, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak to all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people seized him, saying, “You will surely die! 9 Why have you prophesied in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate, without an inhabitant’?” And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the Lord.” Jeremiah 26:7-9 NKJV
Father God,
While Habakkuk was standing looking out over Judah and waiting for Your answers Jeremiah was letting Judah know exactly what had offended God and aroused his judgement. And it looks like the end of Jeremiah is nigh because they would rather not hear it but just go on with their lives as is.
But Jeremiah challenges them. He says that he has only spoken the truth and yes, they should perhaps kill him then they would add the death of an innocent man to their sins! Sadly another prophet called Urijah was put to death (Jeremiah 26:20-23). But You kept Jeremiah safe to continue to speak out to a people who would not listen or hear.
There is nothing sadder than someone who is harming themselves by their behaviour who will not listen or cannot hear what harm they are doing to themselves. There is so much other noise that they allow to drown out Your voice Lord God. But Jeremiah does not give up, not stay silent, but continues even in the face of adversity and defiance. Perhaps amidst a generation who try to drown out Your voice, we need be as determined as Jeremiah. To call them to hear Your voice, the voice of the Shepherd, the Saviour, the Redeemer for themselves.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 9th July 2026
This inspires me to remember who saved me, who He is and why others need Him. How can I keep him to myself!
There is a truth, older than the ages
There is a promise, of things yet to come
There is One, born for our salvation
Jesus
There is a light, that overwhelms the darkness
There is a kingdom, that forever reigns
There is freedom, from the chains that bind us
Jesus, Jesus
Who walks on the waters
Who speaks to the sea
Who stands in the fire beside me
He roars like a lion
He bled as the lamb
He carries my healing in His hands
Jesus
There is a name, I call in times of trouble
There is a song, that comforts in the night
There is a voice, that calms the storm that rages
He is Jesus, Jesus
Lyrics: Ed Cash, Chris Tomlin