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Back in 1956, Dr. Martin Luther King almost threw in the towel in his struggle for justice. The bus boycott lasted longer than expected; he was arrested and put in jail; late night phone calls warned him to pack and leave town or else his family would die; family and friends urged him to give up. One night, at his lowest moment, possessed by fear and feeling of inadequacy, he fell to his knees and believed he heard God say, “Martin, stand up for righteousness, stand up for justice, stand up for truth, and I will be with you.” Long ago, the prophet Jeremiah had a similar experience. God had called him to speak out against wickedness. Instead of repenting and turning to God, Jeremiah’s people hated him and cursed him. He fell into self-pity and despair. But God encouraged him, telling him to give up his doubts and persevere in speaking the truth. We read God’s words to him in Jeremiah chapter 15: “They will not conquer you, for I am with you to protect and rescue you. I, the LORD, have spoken!” (v. 20). Today, those who stand for truth, justice, and righteousness sometimes face rejection or ridicule. God calls us to remain steadfast like Dr. King and like the prophet Jeremiah.
