There is many a time that preachers can become discouraged, down-hearted, and just plain ole depressed. All people have those moments, and the men God calls to proclaim His Word are definitely no different.
The prophets were given God's message to proclaim to God's people. Jeremiah the prophet of God is known as the "weeping prophet"; because his heart is so often broken, and his eyes come to tears because of the backsliding of the people. There are times he doubts, fears, and is troubled, and God always comes through with words to encourage him; though sometimes, those words may also be disturbing.
Take for example the following:
"Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them." Jeremiah 5:14 (KJV)
The man of God who proclaims the Word of God should do so with the burden of God's Word on his heart; yet with joy knowing that God will complete His Word - it will be fulfilled. Many of the words of the prophets and the prophecies we have written in God's Word comes across many times as being negative; however it is all proclaimed with a positive outcome in sight.
The prophet wept over the sins of his people, proclaimed the message of God's Word with power and conviction; and at the expense of his life's comforts and his life.
Look at God's Word to Jeremiah; "Because ye speak this word...". God is declaring Jeremiah faithful in preaching. "...Behold, I will make My words in thy mouth fire...". Fire burns; it burns the fuel that is added to it; and where there is no fuel the fires dies out. Again, God commends Jeremiah for speaking "My words in your mouth...". The 'words' being fire means that God will accomplish what the prophet has spoken. It is very discouraging to the preacher to know that he is preaching God's Word, and feel that God is not moving in the messages. When the preacher/prophet sees God moving in the lives of people, and is hearing God promising him that He will accomplish His Word; that encourages and blesses the preacher.
One of the sad things about the message of the preacher is knowing that it will affect people differently. Some will leave with anger concerning the message, and in most cases God will still continue working to cut away, the burn away the dross, and deal with that sin or sins in that life. Others will hear the preacher preaching the Word of God, and believe, and begin practicing the Word which they have heard.
The words in the mouth of the prophet made fire... and God continues, "...and this people wood...". Wood is fuel for the fire. This is a sad element of the prophet of God. That God through this preacher would devour this people in their sins. It brings no pleasure to God's prophet; but pain. Yet, there is this fulfillment of knowing that God is accomplishing His purpose and glory through this painful message.
Be assured pastor and preacher of the Word of God; God will accomplish His word. Every word will be fulfilled; and God will be glorified. He is glorified in the message of the cross of Jesus Christ; His Word has been fulfilled in the death of Christ, His burial, and His bodily resurrection. Preach Jesus; His cross, burial, and bodily resurrection.
-Tim A. Blankenship
