I have been reading Jeremiah for way to
long. Not because Jeremiah has grown in length but rather because I got tired
of the abuse he continues to suffer by the very people God is speaking to. It
really is bad. So, I left Jeremiah and went to Acts. That’s my story. This was
some time ago yet Jeremiah has not left my mind. Honestly, I have not heard too
many messages from Jeremiah save the one passage we fancy.
11 For
I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s
declaration—“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and
a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 (HCSB).
Jeremiah has been
used and abused by the folks he is trying to save. God gives him a message and
he faithfully speaks it, they don’t like it and they try to “shoot” the
messenger. Time and time again his life is in peril because he faithfully
follows God’s direction. Do you see the head butt?
Here in America we assume if you do what
God wants everything will be fine. That is true in a long view. Everything will
be fine. Jesus will reorder all of creation to be without sin at his return.
But in the meantime, to follow Jesus and do what he asks is to butt against the
world and it’s master who is not fond of God or you at all and that means
trouble for you. Somehow we don’t see this is normal. That is the life Jesus
lived and the prophets before him and his disciples after him. Butting against
the world and the sin that pervades and invades every aspect of the planet is NORMAL.
Following Jesus is not for wimps. So, what to do when it seems too hard and too
difficult and too useless.
The book of Job is probably the first book
penned to paper and to this day the most difficult to read because it mirrors
our walk with God through difficult times. In an e-mail I subscribe to from
Chuck Swindol for pastors came these words.
Job’s life was an authentic model of courageous
living. He had trusted God in the good times. Now the scene was set to
determine if Job would trust God in an impossible situation. He endured loss
like few have known. His home . . . destroyed. His family . . . perished. His
health . . . ruined. His finances . . . wiped out. His friends . . . questioned
his godly reputation. In the long process of working through his questions and
struggles, Job finally resolved to trust God—no matter what. He responded, in
so many words: “I accept what God has sent. I have accepted good, now I accept
adversity.” Read that once more. Acceptance is the secret of his stability.
My friend, if your days have been punctuated by
difficulties and nights have been like a long and dark tunnel, find your
comfort in God’s sovereign control and everlasting love. We pastors need to
remember that God often uses the ministry in
us [bold mine] more than He uses us in the ministry.
Your Savior knows your breaking point. The bruising
and crushing and melting are designed to reshape you, not ruin you. He’s the
Potter, remember, and you’re the clay. Your strength and courage increase the
longer He lingers over you.
"How to Trust When Feeling Troubled" by Charles
R. Swindoll Posted:
17 May 2016 02:00 AM PDT
In
HIS service and yours,
P.S.
Jeremiah also used object lessons to get God's message across! Yes, I will keep
reading Jeremiah.
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