A Worship Guide corresponding with the today’s Bible Reading Plan: Jeremiah 20/ Theme: Jeremiah’s arrest and public humiliation/ 24-BSG-20A, (Jeremiah 20:1-7)/ Hymn: Lo, the storms of life are breaking! [Author: Henry Alford, (1810–1871)]

EXPLORATION: God’s call to endure in the face of Persecution — (Ps 119:87; Mt 10:22,28; 1Co 4:12; 2Th 1:4; Jas 5:8).

REFLECTION: In this chapter we have a glimpse of Jeremiah’s first persecution. The chapter can be developed as follows — [A] Jeremiah’s Imprisonment (1–2): Pashhur, Judah’s wicked high priest, arrests Jeremiah and has him whipped and put in stocks overnight. [B] Jeremiah’s Indictment (3–6): Upon being released, the prophet predicts the evil priest’s doom — All his friends will be killed or taken to Babylon (3–5); He and his family will be carried into captivity, never to return (20:6). [C] Jeremiah’s Complaints to Yahweh – “You have persuaded me and I was deceived” (7); “These messages from the LORD have made me a household joke” (8); “All my familiar and trusted friends are watching me, waiting for my fatal fall” (10); “I curse the day I was born!” (14). [D] Jeremiah’s Constraint: Jeremiah wants to quit, but he cannot, for God’s word burns in his heart like a fire (9). [E] The Consolation: “But the LORD stands beside me like a great warrior. Before him they will stumble. They cannot defeat me.” (11).

DEVOTIONAL IMPLICATION: Why Pashhur hated Jeremiah so much? Priests were at the center of the opposition to Jeremiah (Jer. 11:21) partly because they were one of the targets of his sharpest criticism (Jer. 1:18). They were part of the central power structures in Jerusalem that Jeremiah declared was about to come to an end (Jer. 18:18). Notice The Sufficiency of Jeremiah’s Protection: “Here is the man of strong faith, and of a speech full of confidence and calmness. He may well be depressed; beset as he is with so much malice, brought into close contact with the worst wickedness of the human heart. But, on the other hand, he has this for his comfort, that, the closer wicked men come to him, the closer he finds himself to God. This is the service the wicked render to the witnesses of God, that, the more they persecute them, the more they press them towards the great Helper.” [H. D. M. Spence-Jones, Ed., Jeremiah, The Pulpit Commentary, (London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1909), 1:478].

THE GOSPEL’S VOICE: This section is written as if God were speaking directly to you—Because He does. What does the Lord say to me this morning? My son, you shouldn’t be surprised when people insult, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil things against you because of Me. Jesus Christ faced such treatment. In fact, you should expect nothing different (Mt. 10:18; 24:9; John 15:20). I am inviting you to imitate Jesus Christ by living righteously even in the midst of persecutions. When people hate, slander, insult, and persecute you – Rejoice! for I have “greater reward” for you in heaven (Mt 5:11-12; Eph 1:3).

My Desire: By God’s grace, I want to imitate Christ by enduring Persecution.

Have A Blessed Day: “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.”–“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:22, 28, NKJV)

WORSHIP THROUGH SINGING:
Lo, the storms of life are breaking! [Author: Henry Alford, (1810–1871)]

“Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,” (Acts 4:29, NKJV)

Lo, the storms of life are breaking—
Faithless fears our hearts are shaking;
For our succor undertaking,
Lord and Savior, help us!

Lo, the world, from Thee rebelling,
Round Thy Church in pride is swelling:
With Thy Word their madness quelling,
Lord and Savior, help us!

On Thine own command relying,
We our onward task are plying;
Unto Thee for safety sighing,
Lord and Savior, help us!

By Thy birth, Thy cross, and Passion,
By Thy tears of deep compassion,
By Thy mighty intercession,
Lord and Savior, help us!