“7 ¶  O LORD, you deceived me, and I was deceived; you overpowered me and prevailed. I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me. 8  Whenever I speak, I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction. So the word of the LORD has brought me insult and reproach all day long. 9  But if I say, "I will not mention him or speak any more in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. 10  I hear many whispering, "Terror on every side! Report him! Let’s report him!" All my friends are waiting for me to slip, saying, "Perhaps he will be deceived; then we will prevail over him and take our revenge on him." 11  But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonour will never be forgotten. 12  O LORD Almighty, you who examine the righteous and probe the heart and mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you I have committed my cause. 13  Sing to the LORD! Give praise to the LORD! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked.” (Jeremiah 20:7-13 NIV)

            Some call Jeremiah the weeping prophet and here we see the pain and anguish expressed in what is an amazing exhibit of a prophet’s heart!  We are shown the pain and anguish Jeremiah is suffering as an intermediary between God and his people!

            Jeremiah openly and fervently accuses God of calling him to tell of the coming destruction and not revealing what this would cost him.  Rather than listening to what God is revealing they seek to destroy Jeremiah so they will not have to hear the open judgment for their sin and the punishment they deserve.

            Then comes an amazing picture of what following God’s call is in the life of a Christian.  Verse 9 goes beyond heart and soul and declares God’s call alights our very bones and leaves us unable to resist unless we turn from God!  This fire burns forth through judgment to bring healing but will not consume if we trust and follow God.

            Jeremiah sees God as his protective warrior who will show vengeance upon those who refuse to listen and abuse God’s messenger.  Jeremiah has faithfully committed “his” cause to God and trust God will revenge all wrongs.

            Having confessed to God his struggles and fears Jeremiah then calls all to sing to God and praise God!  Jeremiah has not just confessed his grief and sin but the relief is also a result of his faith God will make all right!  The fullness of song and praise comes from the faith that even in the midst of the suffering God is our warrior and will see us through!

            Have you ever experienced the burning in your bones of God’s call for you?  Do you trust in God to be your warrior and to defend you?  When you worship God is there a fire in your bones and do you sing forth praise to God rather than just mumbling the words?