A FIRE IN MY BONES

“Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” - Jeremiah 20:9

Have you ever been tempted to quit? If most ministers were honest, they'd tell you that they've been tempted to quit many times. Ministry can be a very discouraging work. People disappoint you. Results don't measure up to expectations. Circumstances arise that seem to thwart any good work. Satanic resistance is real and powerful.

Jeremiah had a difficult job. As a prophet, he was called to speak an unpopular message to an unfriendly audience. Their response to the message was to imprison the messenger. It is easy to see why Jeremiah got discouraged. His discouragement reached the point where he decided to quit. He basically turned in his resignation to the Lord. Thankfully, God refused to accept it.

Have you ever felt like quitting? Discouragement and depression comes so easily when you try to do God's will. The devil is a dirty fighter. The devil will kick you when you're down. He is merciless.

Instead of resigning, Jeremiah got fired up. Jeremiah said, "But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones." The Word of God is alive and powerful. God's Word was like a fire that turned in a mighty blaze in the prophet's life. To Jeremiah, it felt like a fire in his bones. The inner flame of God's Word had rejuvenated the man of God. He was fired up!

Do you need that inner fire? It won't come by watching a sitcom or reading a novel. God's Word is the fire that revives. Take time to get away with your Bible and let God set your soul aflame.

Jeremiah went from pit to the pulpit. There was a fire in his bones. The devil probably thought he had gotten rid of the loud-mouthed prophet, but Jeremiah came back with greater intensity.

The devil may think that he has stopped you, but God is not finished yet. This is not a time to quit. This is not a time to pout. This is the time to rise up and be counted for God. Get back into God's Word. The Bible is fuel for the soul. When that fuel touches a dying ember, a flame comes to life.

The most effective days of your life may be yet ahead. Like Jeremiah, let God's Word come alive in you and get busy for God!