Speak

the 365 Journey

Outline Week 31

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.

All of us have those moments when we know that we should speak for God and about God. We should "mention him", but we choose to be silent and not speak. The gospel goes unspoken and unheard.

Jeremiah tells us in text how to formulate a confidence that will empower us to speak even when we find ourselves conflicted, not wanting to speak.

We can have the courage to speak his name when we understand the

Constraint to Speak

If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name

Jeremiah spoke to the people, but they wouldn't listen. He felt like it was useless to continue sharing God's truth with people who weren't listening. Like him we might have self imposed constraints that we put up that hinder us from speaking the gospel to someone.

We might say things like, "they wont' listen", "I don't know enough", "they might reject me" or "it is not culturally acceptable". These might hinder us from speaking God's truth.

Catalyst to Speak

there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones,

Jeremiah recognized that although we might be conflicted in sharing the gospel, as believers there is a "burning fire" that is "shut up' in our bones that is the spark that stimulates us to speak His name.

Confidence to Speak

I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.

Confidence is built when there is this undying passion that cannot not be adhered to. In Jeremiah's case, as in ours, speaking His name could not be pushed aside, or suppressed. He had within him the internal unquenchable inclination to speak and he couldn't not speak. Although hindered he chose to herald Him, and so must we.

For further reading:

https://drbuddyyoung.wixsite.com/well-watered/post/hot-hearts