JEREMIAH 17:14: “Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, For You are my praise.” NKJV
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OBSERVATION: Have you ever felt like you were stranded on a deserted island in the midst of the ocean? Perhaps you have taken an unpopular stand that has caused others to distance themselves from you. Or, perhaps the Lord has called you to do something that many do not understand. Regardless of the circumstance – you feel alone.

Jeremiah was alone. He was called by God, even before he was conceived. He was given the difficult task of prophesying to the nation of Judah at the height of their rebellion and sin. He stood alone against all the corrupt prophets and priests. No one wanted to hear what Jeremiah had to say. And, at the same time, they were conspiring to bring harm to Jeremiah to shut him up.

Jeremiah was faithful to the word of the Lord. Yet, Jeremiah also struggled with his calling. Many times he would question the Lord. He would ask – “Lord, why me?” This is a question that I have found myself asking many times in my life. There have been times when I knew I was in the center of God’s will but everything around me was going wrong. Alone, on the deserted island of obedience, I asked – “Lord, why me?”

In these times of isolation and questioning, we need to position ourselves as Jeremiah did when he cried out these words.

• “Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, For You are my praise.”

Jeremiah, in the midst of rejection, persecution, and despair, placed his life in the hands of Almighty God. Jeremiah knew that there was only one healer. Jeremiah knew that there was only one Savior. Jeremiah focused his heart on the Lord God Almighty in an attitude of prayer and worship. When we find ourselves in these solitary times we need to do the same.

There are times when we will be called to take a stand. I believe we live in such a time. In the midst of a world that embraces an upside-down morality, the believer stands as the only light of God’s truth. If we hide our light under the bushel then darkness will win. If we let out light shine then we will bear the same opposition and rejection that Jeremiah experienced.

The question is – “What will I do?”

I have never been afraid to stand up for what I believe. I have faced the upstream battle for truth all of my life. Yet, can I be truly honest? I am tired. Like Jeremiah I find myself asking – “Why me Lord?” Why can’t someone else stand up for the truth? Why can’t I sit this one out? Why is my light so important?

Now, I know that my light is not any more important or significant than anyone else’s light. However, if I buy into the argument that someone else will do it, then there will be one less light. And, if the enemy can convince me, he can convince others also. If we all lay down our lights, thinking that we are insignificant, then there will be no light at all.

My light, my willingness to stand up for the truth, my obedience to the Word of God, is a small light. Yet, when this small light encourages someone else to join me, and this causes a chain reaction, the small lights that are gathered become God’s pillar of light to a dark and broken world.

All over this nation, people are gathering in public squares to worship. There is a flame of revival that is starting to be in ignited. You don’t see coverage of this on the nightly news. There are no burning buildings left in their wake. Yet – this fire is igniting hearts. When the enemy comes in like a flood – God always raises up a standard. And, just like in the 1970s, this movement is filled with young adults. As they lift up their hearts in worship and praise you can hear the words of Jeremiah.

• “Heal us, O LORD, and we shall be healed; Save us, and we shall be saved, For You are our praise.”

May our hearts be ignited together with the flames of revival! Lord, heal us, save us!

In Jesus Name!