For whenever I speak, I cry out, I shout, "Violence and destruction!"
For the word of the LORD has become for me a reproach and derision all day long.
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.
For I hear many whispering. Terror is on every side!
"Denounce him! Let us denounce him!" say all my close friends, watching for my fall.
"Perhaps he will be deceived; then we can overcome him and take our revenge on him."
But the LORD is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble; they will not overcome me.
- Jeremiah 20:8-11 (ESV)
Jeremiah has the difficult job of preaching a very unpopular and disastrous oracle to Judah. Judah is about to be overtaken by the Babylonians and there are some religious figures, like Pashhur, that don't like hearing that sort of message.
Two points:
1) The message, even if it is one of impending danger, cannot be held in. We must be willing to proclaim the words of God. There is a "burning fire" and we become weary (or eventually immune to the pain) if we withhold the message of God meant for other people.
2) The dangers or sufferings are real. But ultimately God is with us as a "dread warrior." The Lord is battle-hardened soldier; a champion that no one wants to face. Our danger does not come from the armies of men nor the political maneuvering of our opponents. The danger is not aligning ourselves with the One who will win.
Dear friends, do not be weary or afraid. Put your hope in Him who will lead you victory.
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