Spend and be Spent

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“And there was also a man that prophesied in the name of the LORD, Urijah the son of Shemaiah of Kirjathjearim, who prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah: And when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men, and all the princes, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death: but when Urijah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt; And Jehoiakim the king sent men into Egypt, [namely], Elnathan the son of Achbor, and [certain] men with him into Egypt. And they fetched forth Urijah out of Egypt, and brought him unto Jehoiakim the king; who slew him with the sword, and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people." (Jeremiah 26:20-23 )

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This year I’m reading through the Bible chronologically. A few days ago I came across this story in the middle of the book of Jeremiah. A story like this would be easy to overlook in the midst of a long account of Judah’s exile, but I found my heart drawn to Urijah’s life. Urijah faithfully and boldly prophesied the words of the Lord and ended up giving his life for that message.

As I praised God for the sacrifice of Urijah, the Spirit began convicting me of the state of my own life. I do not suffer persecution. Actually, my life is very easy. I don’t wake up everyday living in fear of being killed for my faith in God. I began to see how comfortable I really am in my Christian life. God’s shown me how many times I will go throughout my day with godless thoughts and motives. I should have boldness that’s rooted in a deep faith and love for God. The message of the gospel that God has given me to proclaim is what should drive everything I do each day.

“God, help me to be willing to spend and be spent for the sake of the gospel. May I be willing to even lay my own life down.”

-Reba Snyder

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