How do you recognize the true Word from God? So many different voices are telling us what God wills: support this or that cause, vote for this or that person, give to this or that charity. Finding the authentic will of God is a perennial challenge. Jeremiah confronted another man claiming to have a word from God giving the exact opposite advice that Jeremiah said came from God. He was predicting a happily ever after in contrast to Jeremiah’s gloom and doom. Jeremiah said he wished that the other prophet was right. However, From of old, the prophets who were before you and me prophesied war, woe, and pestilence… But the prophet who prophesies peace is recognized as truly sent by the LORD only when his prophetic prediction is fulfilled. Future outcomes are not a helpful criteria for deciding what to do today. What might be helpful is heeding the word Jesus gave to the disciples today: “Give them some food yourselves.” What is God’s will? feeding the hungry, helping the hurting, visiting the lonely, caring for the stranger, etc.
