the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Our Daily Homily - Volume 3
Jeremiah 20:9—I am weary with forbearing and cannot contain. (R.V.)
The prophet had looked for marvelous results from his preaching. So great was his consciousness that God’s word was on his lips, and his power with him, that he expected by his ministry to arrest the decay of his people. And when, instead of the success he sought, he found himself in the stocks, he was tempted to feel that God had excited hopes which were not destined to be realized. He did not give sufficient weight to man’s awful power of resisting and neutralizing God’s best designs. We say this reverently, and use human methods of speech.
Yet, on the other hand, as he reviewed the steps by which he had come to act and speak as he did, he felt that he could not have done differently. And though he were suddenly to repress himself, the Divine inward impulse would sweep away all his constraints, and assert itself in irresistible might. It was of no use placing the bushel over the light, for the light would burn the bushel; useless to shut in the fire, for the fire would burn through every obstacle to its flames.
What a glorious state of heart to be in! We have sometimes been weary in God’s service; but oh, it would be a greater weariness if we were dismissed from it. To speak is an awful responsibility and weight; but not to speak would be impossible. Have you the burning heart? Do you know what it is to feel unable to contain yourself, since the love of Jesus constrains? If not, daily pray that God may light a burning fire in your bones.
"O God! make free
This barren, shackled earth, so deadly cold;
Breathe gently forth thy spring, till winter flees
In rude amazement!"
