Be an Island!

 

Have you ever taken a wildly unpopular stand on some issue? Have you boldly proclaimed your faith in a particularly hostile environment? I think about this quite often when I work a secular biker event wearing my CMA colors. When we attend "The Boogie" each year we are definitely an island in an ocean of people boldly sinning before the Lord. It is not easy to "be an island" in ocean of public opinion. But, I think there is a time and a place to take a stand, even when you are all alone taking that stand. And when that stand involves the Lord, God will bless you for it. 

Today I was reading about the bold proclamation Jeremiah was given, by the Lord, in Jeremiah 26. He spoke the truth of the Lord against the city of Jerusalem. He proclaimed the city would be destroyed because of their disobedience to the Lord. It was a VERY unpopular proclamation.

"The priests, the prophets, and all the people listened to Jeremiah as he spoke in front of the Lord's Temple. But when Jeremiah had finished his message, saying everything the Lord had told him to say, the priests and the prophets and all the people at the Temple mobbed him. 'Kill. him!' they shouted. 'What right do you have to prophesy in the Lord's name that this Temple will be destroyed like Shiloh? What do you mean, saying that Jerusalem will be destroyed and left with no inhabitants?' All the people threatened him as he stood in front of the Temple." (Jeremiah 26:7-9)

The leaders of Jerusalem held court to determine the fate of Jeremiah. Jeremiah stood firm:

"But if you stop your sinning and begin to obey the Lord your God, he will change his mind about this disaster that he has announced against you. As for me, I am in your hands - do with me as you think best. But if you kill me, rest assured that you will be killing and innocent man!" (Jeremiah 26:13-15)

I love Jeremiah and his willingness to stand firm, to be an island in the midst of overwhelming sin. He obeyed the Lord and didn't care what was going to happen to him. We should be that strong in obeying the Lord, sharing his word, regardless of the consequences. This world is turning more and more against God, even in our own country. Our communities are getting more hostile to our faith. Now is not the time to shrink back. Now is NOT the time to remain silent. We need to boldly Go and boldly proclaim Salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ.

One last interesting part of this story. Even though Jeremiah thought he was alone and he could clearly see he was an island in an ocean of sin, one man stood with him. While the leaders of Judah were debating whether they should kill Jeremiah, one man stood with him on that island:

"Nevertheless, Ahikam son of Shaphan stood up for Jeremiah and persuaded the court not to turn him over to the mob to be killed." (Jeremiah 26:24)

WOW! Isn't that amazing. A single individual CAN make a difference. We know little about this brave man, but we know one thing: He was not afraid to take an unpopular stand if he felt it was right. What about you? Are you willing to proclaim the name of Jesus even when the rest of the world will shun you? Are you willing to share the gospel regardless of the consequences, the shame, the persecution, the possibility of death? 

Be an island in this world of hate, sin, and evil. Even saving one soul would be worth it.