April 25

" A n astonishing and horrible thing has been committed in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely and the priests rule by their own power; and My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?"

Jeremiah 5:30-31

The false prophets in Jeremiah’s day ridiculed predictions of coming judgment and spoke glibly of peace and safety when the Judge stood at the door (6:14; 8:11). It is the same today and will be until the vials of the wrath of God are actually being poured out upon the earth (1 Thessalonians 5:3). Men prefer these soft-spoken teachers of error who prophesy smooth things (Isaiah 30:10), to the faithful men of God who declare unflinchingly the Word of the Lord without fear or favor. But in the day of Christ, when every hidden thing is brought to light, God’s true servants will be recognized and rewarded, and the preachers of falsehood will be dealt with in judgment.

Servant of Christ, stand fast amid the scorn

Of men who little know or love thy Lord;

Turn not aside from toil; cease not to warn,

Comfort and teach. Trust Him for thy reward:

A few more moments’ suffering, and then

Cometh sweet rest from all thy heart’s deep pain.

For grace pray much, for much thou needest grace;

If men thy work deride,—what can they more?

Christ’s weary foot thy path on earth doth trace;

If thorns wound thee, they pierced Him before:

Press on, look up, though clouds may gather round;

Thy place of service He makes hallowed ground.

—J. J. P.