Crisis ConvertedSample

Theme: The Prophet's Pain

Crisis Converted Then:

The prophet now speaks autobiographically giving the reader insight into his day to day life and activity. He says that every day he begins waiting for the word of the Lord. Whatever he hears, he sets his “trained tongue” to speak. In other words, he has been professionally trained as a prophet. Yet, instead of being received with the honor that should be due a prophet of God, he is mocked, beaten, and ignored. Still, day after day he continues the task that he has been given by God because God is eternal, but his mockers will pass away. 

Crisis Converted Now:

The way of God’s prophet is always the way of persecution and suffering. God’s ultimate prophet and our messiah, Jesus, undoubtedly comes to mind as we read through this text. Day after day, Jesus heard the word of God. Day after day, he turned his cheek towards the ones who spit on him and slapped him. Though in all human appearances he wore shame, God would not let him be disgraced. Could it be that the comfort of our faith is a disservice to our commitment to Christ? Do we lose something in our prophetic voice because we don’t know the pain and shame of being rejected for God?