Jeremiah . . . was not handed over to the people. 

There was great tension in the Temple of Jerusalem.   One prophet, Jeremiah, proclaimed a different message than all the others: repent, or you will end up like Shiloh.   Shiloh had been the city where the ark of the covenant once rested.   But because of the sins of the priests and people, it was destroyed and the ark captured by the Philistines.

Nobody wanted to suffer Shiloh’s fate, but they didn’t want to hear Jeremiah’s harsh message either.   In fact, the priests and princes, the prophets and the people, all wanted to kill Jeremiah to silence him.   Yet somehow, against all the odds, the people changed their minds and spared Jeremiah.   What caused such a change of heart?

The better question is, Who caused such a change?   And the answer: the Holy Spirit.   It was the Spirit who helped them accept that Jeremiah’s message had indeed come from God.   It was the Spirit who helped them change their course of action.

That’s how the Holy Spirit wants to help us today.   He can change our hearts in unexpected ways, just as he did for the ancient Jews.   He can catch us just as we’re about to share in some gossip, and urge us to stay quiet.   He can help us see a difficult family member with new eyes.   He can remind us that it has been a few days since we have prayed.

You may feel some unrest or tension about something today.   You may have a nagging sense that God wants you to think differently about a decision facing you.   The Spirit wants to help you think with the mind of Christ today.

But how does this happen?   There is no one-size-fits-all formula, but it always helps to get in the habit of slowing down and listening for the quiet voice of the Spirit when you are feeling unsettled.   Take a moment to ask, “Do my thoughts reflect your character, Lord?   Is there something you want to say to me?”   It doesn’t have to take long, and you shouldn’t expect the heavens to part every time you do this.   But over time, you’ll get used to hearing the Spirit’s gentle voice, and you’ll find the grace you need to follow his lead.

word among us