Abide | Midyear Prayer and Fasting (English)Egzanp

The Word of God Is Like Fire

Read Jeremiah 20:9

If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.

Additional Reading: ​​Luke 24:13–22

Jeremiah was called to proclaim God’s message of judgment to Israel and a promise of redemption if she returned to Him. People rejected, imprisoned, and even tortured Jeremiah when he shared the message. He felt drained, disappointed, and discouraged.

Have you ever felt that things turned for the worst when doing God’s will? What were your thoughts? For Jeremiah, his thoughts were, “I will not mention him or speak anymore in his name.” He wanted to quit being God’s voice to the people. Yet, there was something else at work in his heart—the Word of God! He said, there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.

Have you ever been entrusted with keeping a secret from a loved one, like a grand birthday gift or a wedding proposal? Do you remember how hard it was to keep it to yourself before the reveal and how amazing it felt when you finally shared it? Psychologists call this phenomenon “capitalization,” which is the sharing of positive events that you experienced. They found that it is beneficial to the ones sharing it and receiving it.

God’s Word is infinitely greater than any birthday gift or wedding proposal because it will change our lives eternally! Even when Jeremiah wanted to keep quiet because he was emotionally distraught, he still felt the fire of God’s Word in the core of his being, wanting and waiting to be released.

Like fire, the Bible impassions us, igniting a fire within us that is hard to shut. Keeping it to ourselves is hard since we know this message can, and will, dramatically transform those who will hear it. We cannot help but open our mouths and preach the good news of the kingdom of God. The two disciples on the road to Emmaus testified of their encounter with the resurrected Jesus in Luke 24:32, “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?”

When God’s Word touches our hearts, we become inflamed with warmth, purity, and passion for Him and His kingdom’s purposes.

• How has God transformed you? In two or three sentences, write your testimony below. Ask God for opportunities and the boldness to share this with others.
• Recall a time when you were reluctant to preach the gospel but did it anyway. What was the result?
• What passage of Scripture has made the most impact on you recently? Why? Share this with a relative or friend this week.

If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot. Jeremiah 20:9

Heavenly Father, thank You that as I go through challenging times in my life, Your Word is forging a deeper relationship with You. Burn up any apathy, timidity, and passivity. Inflame my heart with love for Your Word so that the fire inside me will spread to the world around me. In Jesus’ name, amen.