God’s word always has a context. It does not occur in a vacuum. God speaks to people as a result of what He is doing and how people are behaving.
Jeremiah had a long, rich ministry. His life overlapped the steady decline of his nation. Jeremiah began his ministry under one of the godliest kings in his nation’s history. The prophet ended his ministry under some of its worst. As a youth, Jeremiah could have had no inkling of what would happen to his nation over the course of his lifetime. Yet God knew.
When God speaks to us, it is within the context of what is happening in our world. He does not merely give us a devotional thought for our own benefit. God’s word is spoken for the benefit of others.
Our world is in decline. People are turning away from God. Dangers are everywhere. We must expect that in such a time, God will speak to His servants, just as He has in times past. It is crucial that we hear what He is saying. Our world desperately needs a fresh word from God.