Force Chaplain ASP Rev Lekima Gonerau


TEXT: JEREMIAH 36: 11-26


“HEAR THE WORD WITH HUMILITY”

News of Jeremiah’s scroll reaches officials of Jehoiakim, King of Judah and eventually, the King himself, who sends for the scroll and has it read to him. There was a convenient fire in the king’s winter apartment.

“As Jehudi read three or four columns, the King would cut them off with pen knife and throw them into the fire in the brazier. Yet neither the King, nor any of hi servants who heard all these words, was alarmed, nor did they tear their garments…..and the King commanded Jerahmeel the King’s son….to arrest the Secretary Baruch and the prophet Jeremiah, but the Lord hid them. [verse 23-26]”

When we hear the word of God, we have to choose how to respond. How do we react when it tells us what we do not want to hear? Sometimes it takes courage to hear the word with humility. Sometimes it is hard to receive and respect God’s instructions. There are so many reasons why we might fail to take it seriously. We might be afraid of what we think it is demanding for us. We might prefer to discuss it, disregard it, and even destroy it. It can be painful to accept the challenge, to live with unanswered questions and remain open to fresh insights.

“My son if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God” [Proverbs 2: 1-5] We are called to listen to the word of God with humility.


PRAYER

O God our Saviour, inspire us, so that we may receive your truth with reverence, and obey your word with courage.

Amen.