Lamentations 2
WORDS FROM GOD

A prophet is a person who speaks out. Where I worship, we do not have paid pastors or priests, so those of us who speak are lay preachers. This means that everyone who feels they can, takes their turn at preaching and teaching in the church.

People who speak in the church have a big responsibility. They are the ones who can encourage, inspire, and motivate their listeners to keep hold of the faith, to renew their dedication and to focus on the hope that keeps us going. They are also the ones who have the task of rebuking, correcting, and turning lives around when things are not so good.

It was this that the prophets of Israel failed to do. God condemned the prophets in Jerusalem through Jeremiah, his true prophet, saying, “The visions of your prophets were false and worthless; they did not expose your sin to ward off your captivity. The prophecies they gave you were false and misleading.” (Lamentations 2 v 14).

Those of us who speak have a big responsibility to make sure our words are not just things that people want to hear to make them happy, but words that are from the Lord, words that speak the truth in love. If it means we need to rebuke or inspire change, then we must not shy away from it.

Let’s not let it be said that the words we have spoken are false and worthless. Instead let us be people whose words turn the hearts of the people to the Lord.

May we be given wisdom as we spread God’s word and encourage others this week.

With love in our Lord,
Robert