A chaplain from a sheriff’s
department shared with me part of his job. He was the officer that carried the
burden of delivering bad news to loved ones. He said some would hang on him and
sob, while others would hit him. He knew
it was just their pain coming out. He explained to me that this was the most
difficult part of his job.
The Old Testament prophets often
carried the burden of delivering difficult messages to people, many of which
didn’t take the message well. The prophets suffered greatly simply by
delivering God’s message. The name “Malachi” means “messenger.” He lived up to
his name by delivering this message to Israel – even if it meant death to him.
I must say that I don’t like to
receive bad news. I don’t like to be told that God does not approve of a
behavior on my part. My pastor carries a burden to deliver God’s messages to me
every week. Like Malachi he does so because God has him do so and because he
loves me enough to deliver the message. My part is to apply the message to my
heart, not get mad about it.
Delivering a difficult burden is
tough stuff.
“The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.” Malachi 1:1.
© copyright Kevin T Boekhoff
https://tugsandnudges.wordpress.com/2015/08/03/tough-stuff/
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