Jeremiah 15:19 Therefore this is what the Lord says:
“If you repent, I will restore you
that you may serve me;
if you utter worthy, not worthless, words,
you will be my spokesman.
Let this people turn to you,
but you must not turn to them.”

This is an extremely important passage for anyone who would speak the Word of the Lord. There are probably plenty of young aspiring preachers who would like to speak the Word of the Lord, but they have to realize that prophetic preaching doesn’t happen just because you want it to. As Peter points out very clearly, no true prophecy originates with the prophet. (2 Peter 1:20) That’s why the Lord told even such a notable prophet as Jeremiah that he had to repent (or return, as the Japanese expresses it). The prophet’s will is definitely involved, but it must be to submit to God in all humility, rather than to say or do whatever the prophet wants. That is why Jesus, always our perfect example, prayed, “Not my will but Yours” in the Garden of Gethsemane. (Matthew 26:39) When someone has that attitude in truth, God will indeed cause them to stand before Him and speak through them, as though they were His mouth (which is how the Japanese expresses it here). The important thing from that point is the interaction with the audience, which means, those hearing. God told Jeremiah, “They may or may not come to your position on things, but you aren’t to compromise what I have told You so that you will agree with them.” The temptation to compromise for the sake of acceptance is always there, but must be resisted. The other side of that is that the truth must always be spoken in love. (Ephesians 4:15) Angry “prophets” have driven quite a few people away from God needlessly. However, the principle remains that prophets are responsible to God first, and not to the “itching ears” (2 Timothy 4:3) of their listeners.

This is something I’ve understood for a long time and have tried to live by, with varying degrees of success. I have had people leave my church because they didn’t like the Word I was speaking, but I have felt a real check on trying to chase them down. However, I must never sink to pride that “I speak the Word of the Lord!” I am to be grateful but never proud, much less arrogant. My focus is to be on God and allowing Him to use me, and not on me or even on those to whom I speak. I must also remember that what God speaks through me applies to me as much as it does to anyone else, and be humbly obedient. I must not be like some politicians, who seem to think they are exempt from the laws they make.

Father, thank You for this clear, strong Word this morning. There have been many distractions in the process, but You have been faithful. Thank You for yesterday and all it held. Thank You for speaking through me several times, particularly as I prayed in the group. Thank You for the assurance that Your Spirit was praying through me. May I be equally submitted and available to You today, however You want to use me, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!