Speaking The Truth Even When No One Is Listening
Speak my words to them whether they listen or refuse to listen, for they are rebellious. Ezekiel 2:7 csb
Every passing day, I find myself increasingly unphased by the falsehoods permeating American culture. We now inhabit a nation where truth is subjective, molded to individual desires. While America boasts freedom, the pursuit of honesty has become a rare virtue. This mirrors the era of the ancient prophets like Ezekiel. When God tasked Ezekiel with delivering His message, his responsibility was clear: proclaim the Word, regardless of the peoples reception.
In our current climate, as darkness seems to deepen across America, we too bear the divine commission to speak truth boldly. Jesus declared in John 17:17, "Your Word is Truth." I believe we are the final generation before the Lord's return, entrusted with the sacred duty to uphold truth, even in a world that has turned a deaf ear.
Jesus, is the embodiment of Truth in John 14:6, and holds the key to salvation. Without Him, the world faces certain peril. Later in Ezekiel, God designates his prophet as a "Watchman" (Ezekiel 3:17), tasked with alerting the people to impending danger. Should they ignore his warnings, their fate rests on their own shoulders. However, should he neglect his duty, their blood is on his hands.
Similarly, we are watchmen to the world, called to proclaim the coming judgment. Whether others heed or disregard our message is beyond our control. Our mandate is simple: to faithfully convey the truth of God's Word, knowing that obedience to His call is our highest priority. So whether they listen or not speak His Truth, speak Jesus.
Agape,
Frank
Real Tears
“My eyes flow with streams of tears because of the destruction of my dear people.” Lamentations 3:48 csb
On social media, I've come across heartwarming homecoming videos featuring soldiers returning from overseas duty. These brave individuals, separated from their families for a year or more, finally embrace their loved ones in tearful reunions. Witnessing these moments fills me with emotion; even as strangers, their joy and connection are moving. As a Navy Brat myself, I intimately understand the mix of emotions in those reunions.
Jeremiah the Prophet, however, experienced a different kind of tears. He wept over his people, earning him the poignant nickname "the weeping prophet." His tears didn't flow from witnessing families come together; rather, they stemmed from the sorrow of witnessing families torn apart, separated, and even slaughtered by Babylon. For forty years, Jeremiah tirelessly warned his people about their sinful ways, foretelling the judgment that would befall them. Despite their rejection of his message, Jeremiah, like the Lord he served, never stopped loving them. He exemplified the heart of a pastor, mirroring the compassion of the Lord. When tragedy befell even the most sinful, he didn't rejoice; he wept.
The Lord instructs us to empathize with those who are suffering. Just as God takes no pleasure in the demise of the wicked, neither should we. The thought of our loved ones, acquaintances, or even strangers rejecting Jesus as their Savior should break our hearts. Through the lens of Christ's love, we should be moved to tears by the knowledge that they are lost. Does your heart ache for what grieves the heart of the Lord? Jeremiah's did. If you find your heart growing cold towards others, seek the Lord's help to soften it and to see people as He sees them, lost and needing salvation.
Agape, Frank