There are certain messages which must be shared even though they are tremendously unpopular and perhaps unpleasant to hear. Like a fish going against the flow, at times we must do or say or believe what is true rather than what is popular.

It seems that God has been bringing a few of these to my attention recently, and far be it from me to hide from you something God has been teaching me. Throughout the Bible, again and again we encounter prophets, biblical writers, and personalities who share unpopular and difficult to hear messages by God’s call despite negative implications. In 2 Tim.3:3-4, we are told that the time is coming when people will not tolerate sound teaching, but will wander off into myths, craving to have their itching ears tickled. Rather, Paul challenges us, we are to “preach the Word, in season and out of season.” (v.2) So here are a few of the unpopular but necessary messages I’ve been encountering.

1. In my daily devotional time this week, I’ve been reading through the book of Job. In most of the book, Job and his initial three “friends” are jousting with each other, offering their “wisdom.” The popular messages are things like, I don’t deserve what I’m experiencing, and I should have an audience with God to defend myself (Job 13:3). Job repeatedly justifies, defends, and rationalizes himself before his friends and before God, questioning God’s actions (Job 9:15; 23:3-5). His friends reply with a variety of responses that have some truth and some falsehood mixed together. You are deserving what you get, Job (Job 4:5-8). You must have done something wrong and that is why you are getting punished (Job 11:6). Seems to make some sense. But ultimately God speaks (Job 38-41) and shares the true but unpopular message that He is sovereign and He will do what is right according to His will, and we don’t have any right to question Him.
2. Another unpopular message I’ve come across is from Puritan prayers in the Valley of Vision. I’m in an extended section called “Penitence and Deprecation” (not so popular), and am praying prayers like the one for today, “When thou wouldst guide me I control myself, when thou woulds be sovereign I rule myself, when thou wouldst take care of me I suffice myself. When I should depend on thy providings I supply myself, when I should submit to thy providence I follow my will, when I should study, love, honour, trust thee, I serve myself.”
3. Another one from Valley of Vision that hit me squarely between the eyes was: “Under conviction of thy Spirit, I learn that the more I do, the worse I am. The more I know, the less I know. The more holiness I have, the more sinful I am. The more I love, the more there is to love.” That’s me!
4. A fourth example of a message that is necessary but unpopular is one I recently stumbled across from Voddie Baucham. He directs the program in Lusaka, Zambia where our Pathways coordinator, Paul Kayumba, works. He has a sobering four-minute message for young and older men in America that I appreciate. You can watch it here:

I’m sure you can fill in many other examples of messages that must be communicated and embraced, although they are unpleasant and unpopular. May we never back down from a hard message, and thereby let us follow in the footsteps of prophets like Jeremiah and Elijah, and our Lord Jesus (John 6), and many others throughout the centuries who have faithfully proclaimed God’s truth.