Thursday 09 March 2017

Psalm: Psalm 119:49-64

Background

Here Paul expresses the emotions that many preachers feel whenthey are faced with those who are waiting to listen to theirmessage. This is my own testimony on the same theme.

There are times when I wish I didn't have to do it.
There are times when I think that it is a complete waste oftime.
There are times when other people think I should stop doingit.
But I must go on.

There are those who are certain that what I do isirrelevant.
There are those who couldn't care less about the subject.
There are those who consider me to be out of touch withreality.
But I must go on.

Why must I put myself through this?
Why must I keep going in spite of discouragement?
Why must I make a public spectacle of myself?
Because I know I must go on?

Why should I be the one to speak out?
Why should I have to make all this effort, just to beignored?
Why should I not just put my feet up and leave it to someoneelse?
Because I know I must go on.

God called me when I was young and keen to do what was asked ofme.
God called me to use the gifts that had been given to me.
God called me to learn from study and experience,
so I know I must go on.

God challenged me to preach about love and forgiveness.
God challenged me to speak about the story of Jesus.
God challenged me to make the good news relevant to as many peopleas possible.
That's why I must go on.

And even if I rarely know that anything I say has anyeffect;
and even if people think I am a fool to myself;
and even if they forget my words as soon as they are spoken;
I still must go on.

For I am compelled to do this.
I have no choice.
God entrusted this task to me and who am I to question that?
I must, I must go on.

To Ponder

• What's the use of sermon and testimonies?

• What's the next thing God is calling you to do?