#82 “Great Intercessors of the Bible”

(Jeremiah - Elevated I of the Lord)

 

“I wish my head were a well of water
and my eyes fountains of tears
So I could weep day and night
for casualties among my dear, dear people."

(Jeremiah 9:1)

The Message (MSG) 

Jeremiah was often known as the “Weeping Prophet” because he often weeded loudly and in public for his people the children of Israel.  Jeremiah was called to be a prophet during the time when King Josiah reigned over Judah. Initially all of the good efforts of King Josiah to bring the people back to God were all physical or outward works. The removed every pagan alters and idol of worship, which were visible however, the people still had not returned to God in their hearts. “The people of Judah have lived evil lives while I’ve stood by and watched.” The people were going through the motion however their hearts were not in it…they were not doing it from their hearts, just out of a sense of duty.  

Just like King Josiah Jeremiah deeply grieved for his people and the condition they were in spiritually. As if that weren’t enough there were theologians, prophets and priest telling the people that they had nothing to fear from God, that they were exempt from being judged and destroyed. They were assuring the people that God would never destroy the Holy City Jerusalem and the Temple, His dwelling place. But Jeremiah was an earlier version of John the Baptist during Jesus time; Jeremiah was now that voice crying in the wilderness against the lie’s of the theologians.  

The contrast of Jeremiah true nature and that of the one he had to assume was very broad; he being a gentle and quite man, who by the hand of God had to become the voice of warning and doom. He had to become a public icon when he only wanted to live out his life in quite seclusion.  Jeremiah loved his people and it broke his heart to have to pronounce destruction upon them, he would in one breath declare the word of the Lord against the people and in another weep bitterly and plead for mercy for them from the Lord. "Jeremiah was no weeping willow; he was a stalwart oak of divine planting."  Although Jeremiah was a prophet he was also a great intercessor and so too are all the prophets. What is most unusual about Jeremiah however as an intercessor is that; at this time in the history of Israel God had literally had enough of their waywardness and backsliding; so much so that He told Jeremiah not to pray for them anymore… “And as for you, Jeremiah, I don’t want you praying for this people. Nothing! Not a word of petition. Indeed, I’m not going to listen to a single syllable of their crisis-prayers.” the people had utterly rejected God’s Law, there was no turning back judgment was come and nothing or not one could stop it.  

For me here is the true heart of an intercessor who knows the heart of God, even when God’s heart has turned against the one’s they are praying for. Jeremiah would not relent he would not stop praying for the people in spite of the fact that God said his prayer would go unanswered. “Then God said to me: “Jeremiah, even if Moses and Samuel stood here and made their case, I wouldn’t feel a thing for this people. Get them out of here. Tell them to get lost!” 

The most important thing to remember when praying for a people, it don’t give up believing that The Lord can turn them around.  Don’t relent in your pursuit for an answer for God, but be prepared to except His reply. There may be a time during intercession when the Lord may tell you, “Stop Praying,” what should you do?  Stop Praying, at least in the manner in which you were praying; this  would be a good time to inquire of the Lord as to why He wants you 'NOT' to pray? Just as He gave Jeremiah an answer He will give you one as well.  

My Prayer: Father, when we look at the state of our country and our people we like Jeremiah want to weep bitterly for their deliverance. Lord God only You can turn their hearts to You, only You can bring them to repentance.  Father before they get to the place of destruction please hear our prayer, hear our cries. Father we will not relent, we will not give up or cease praying for your mercy or grace over our people. Save them Lord God, Turn the Lord God merciful and true. Bring them back to You, tear down every idol and every false God which has been erected as a point of worship in their homes and hearts. Open their eyes to see the errors of their way so true repentance can be offered up to Your thrown. Father we know that Your will is that they be saved and turn from their wicked ways we too desire this in Jesus’ name  we pray Amen!!! 

Have A Bless Day…Go in God’s Peace!  

Follow this link to "Morning by Morning" http://prayin4you.blogspot.com

Sign up to receive the daily post Via Email

I hope you will Join to become a member of

Morning by Morning