James 5:10 KJV
[10] “Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.”
The prophets of old are heroes to all of us. We love to hear the Old Testament stories of how the Lord called and used them. Their messages were bold and straightforward. Their visions and miracles left us in awe of the mighty power of God working through ordinary men. No matter how impressed we may be, we must not forget their suffering. The prophets faced great affliction for the message they delivered. God did not raise up prophets to make friends or be popular among the dignitaries. Their ministries were not about luxury and ease. They were not kingdom builders and celebrities like many in the ministry today.
These were men who arose in times of crises or apostasy. They had a message that burned within them. They set out on a mission to deliver the message to the place God had called them. Preaching the burden on their heart was their focus, and then they intended to fade off the scene as they had been before. However, many were imprisoned, persecuted, and rejected for what they had preached. These men were prophets, not puppets led by filthy lucre.
Society never praised them or lifted them up. They were never popular or loved by this world for the message they preached. However, things have changed in our day. If we removed salaries, recognition, popularity, and other luxuries, who would continue to proclaim the message in our pulpits today? Ministry has become a means of living for some, but thank God there are still some mighty men of integrity, character, and principle who remain humble, prayerful, ordinary, and not for sale. Society may despise and afflict them, but they are the men standing in the gap and making up the hedge. Man of God, press on!