ORDER MY STEPS IN THY WORD

God’s Order in Old Testament Timeshast prevailed; I have become a laughingstockdaily, every one mocks me.For at the time when I spoke and cried out, Ispoke against the extortioners and againstthe robbers; because the word of the Lordhas become for me a reproach and derisiondaily.Then I said, I will not make mention of him[the Lord], nor speak any more in his name.But his word became in my heart like aburning fire kindling in my bones; and Isought to be patient, but I could not endureit.*This is tremendous. How wonderful thesewords of Jeremiah are. Jeremiah praises God forbeing his comfort. “Lord, you’ve comforted me.I am at peace.”Within himself Jeremiah was as every humanbeing would have been in his situation. Hewanted to be respected, loved, and blessed. Hewasn’t speaking God’s Word just because hewanted to make trouble. He spoke God’s Wordbecause that was the only thing he knew to do.*George M. Lamsa, trans., The Holy Bible from AncientEastern Manuscripts (Nashville, Tenn.: A.J. Holman, 1957).198The Way of Life or DeathBut then as he spoke God’s Word, he waspunished for it by people’s reproach, derision,and mocking. As a human being, Jeremiahbecame discouraged. Who wants to be a laughingstockand suffer reproach? Jeremiah becameweary of this, and his emotions almost overcamehim. He thought that if he didn’t mentionJehovah or speak in His name anymore, peoplewould leave him alone. But then, Jeremiahdeclared, “His word became in my heart like aburning fire kindling in my bones.” Jeremiahcouldn’t bear not to speak God’s Word.Worn down by the smiting, the ridicule, andthe mocking, Jeremiah had wanted to close hismouth and stay out of trouble. But then just ashe was going to withdraw and be quiet, God’sWord became like a burning fire in his heart.God’s Word welled up within Jeremiah. Hecould not keep silent. As God’s Word burned inhis heart and in his bones—his whole innerbeing—Jeremiah couldn’t keep still. He had tospeak what he was called by God to speak nomatter what the consequences; otherwise, he saidhe could not have endured it.Throughout the centuries, men have come andgone, but the Word of God has lived and willcontinue to abide forever. Jeremiahs come andgo, but the Word of God that they proclaim199