Don't Reject the Correction

¹ Shaphatiah son of Mattan, Gedaliah son of Pashur, Jehucal son of Shelemiah, and Pashur son of Malkijah heard what Jeremiah was telling the people, namely: ²"This is God's Message: 'Whoever stays in this town will die—will be killed or starve to death or get sick and die. But those who go over to the Babylonians will save their necks and live.'   ³"And, God's sure Word: 'This city is destined to fall to the army of the king of Babylon. He's going to take it over.'" ⁴These officials told the king, "Please, kill this man. He's got to go! He's ruining the resolve of the soldiers who are still left in the city, as well as the people themselves, by spreading these words. This man isn't looking after the good of this people. He's trying to ruin us!"   
 Jeremiah 38:1-4 (Message)

Jeremiah was telling the people the truth. However, it wasn't the "truth" they wanted to hear. Since he wasn't speaking positive words to them, they said he should be put to death. The only crime this man committed at this time was to tell the people what God had said. It seems being put to death would be a bit drastic, wouldn't it?

Isn't that close to what we do today? It seems so many messages today are focused on motivation and encouragement---positive happy things. That is especially true of messages you might hear on television. Trust me, I love those messages as much as the next person. Some people are simply gifted to encourage, and there is a place in God's kingdom for that. We just can't determine that it is the only form of God's messages that we are willing to hear. Oftentimes, when we start to receive corrective words, then we are ready to run the minister "out of town" or at least away from the pulpit.

Truthfully, America needs some corrective prophesies right now, and I would assume they would be received about as well as Jeremiah was, in some places. I know it isn't easy, but we must also remember that there is a place in God's kingdom for correction and for speaking prophesies that warn us of negative consequences of our behavior. The two types of ministry must work hand in hand, and we must be willing to accept both of them into our lives.

That is not to say that everyone or anyone is ordained to give correction. No, such matters are so sensitive that they must only be birthed in prayer and given only by a man or woman called by God to do so. It is so important that a Word from the Lord to correct a generation be bathed in such prayer and that is often the difficult part. Fear of rejection will often hold back the prophet before he gets a chance to give the Word. We must do our part to pray for these men or women to have courage while we are also praying to prepare our own hearts.

Father, let us always be willing to accept words of correction as easily as we are willing to accept encouragement. I know that's a big request, for myself, for anyone. I also understand that a little pruning is essential for growth. Prepare our hearts to receive in love as you prepare the ministers and prophets in our nation to give in love.