"So Samuel did what the LORD said, and went to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said 'Do you come peaceably?' And he said, 'Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.' Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons, and invited them to the sacrifice."
I Samuel 16:4-5
Samuel was a no-nonsense kind of guy. When he came, people trembled. People knew that he spoke for God. I doubt that he started his sermons with a joke from the internet. When Jonathan Edwards preached, people trembled and many were saved. He is credited, along with other ministers, for inspiring the Great Awakening of the 18th century. Many preachers today think that their job is to make people feel good. I understand that we respond to humor, and there certainly is joy and solace in the Word of the Lord. But I think that when the man of God speaks, our spirit-man should be stirred rather than our soulish nature be stroked. Preaching God's Word is serious business. May God give us prophets who will speak God's truth without adding a lot of sugar to make it palatable.
Today's Thought: God's prophets are to speak God's truth without compromise or soft-soap.
Have a serious day. Love you.
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