During my morning devotionals, I always try to listen for some type of direction from the Lord. I know everyone has their own way of doing devotions, but I tend to try to read where I feel the Lord leading. This month, my focus has been on Jeremiah. To be honest, I couldn’t understand why the Lord would want me to read about prophecies of destruction from a man who, from my previous thoughts, did nothing but “weep,” earning the title of “The Weeping Prophet”. Yet, I opened it up and started at the very beginning looking for anything that might jump out at me.
Then there it was! Jeremiah wasn’t JUST a weeping prophet.
My hubby bought me a study Bible for our anniversary this past year. I absolutely love it! At the beginning of every book of the Bible, it gives detailed information about the author, date of the book, background, themes, and an outline. For me, who loves history, this was a great asset. So prior to reading a book of the Bible, I always start here so I can get an idea of what is going on. I was blessed to attend a Christian school where we were taught the history of the Bible, but I mean after (cough, cough) so many years—we won’t say how many—you tend to forget some things.
The very first thing that jumped out at me was that Jeremiah not only experienced deep emotional conflict as God set one difficult task after another before him, but he wasn’t allowed to marry or have children. I immediately felt sorry for Jeremiah. I mean, I lean on my husband quite a bit when I need comfort. Plus, my children give me the greatest joy—at least when they aren’t arguing.
I continued reading and realized his own family turned against him. Some of his family, along with the community, even threatened his life!
“Because the Lord revealed their plot to me, I knew it, for at that time he showed me what they were doing. I had been like a gentle lamb let to the slaughter; I did not realize that they had plotted against me, saying, ‘Let us destroy the tree and its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name be remembered no more.’” Jeremiah 11:18-19 New International Version
Talk about having a reason to weep!
Jeremiah was alone in his fight for good. Everyone was against him. False prophets reigned supreme and consistently assured the people that every word Jeremiah spoke was not the truth. Yet, throughout all of this, Jeremiah still wept over the sufferings of his people (see Jeremiah 9:1). His heart broke for them. Several times throughout the book, God reminds Jeremiah not to intercede for them because Judah was unrepentant.
“How can you say, ‘We are wise, for we have the law of the Lord,’ when actually the lying pen of the scribes has handled it falsely? The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the Lord, what kind of wisdom do they have?” Jeremiah 8:8–9 NIV
Oh, these scribes manipulated God’s law in order to twist its meaning to suit their own purposes. They wanted the people to believe that they could sin without consequence. (Women’s Study Bible, ref. p. . 1086) However, Jeremiah stood strong. He pointed his finger at them (from my perspective) and told them they were a bunch of idiots and didn’t really seek the voice of the Lord. (Jeremiah 10:22).
At the very beginning of the book, God told Jeremiah that he knew him before He formed him in the womb. Jeremiah was set apart for this specific purpose in life. (Jeremiah 1:5) God did have to remind Jeremiah over and over throughout this book that He was in control. However, don’t you think you would need to be reminded too if you were all alone in your battle? Remember what I said earlier? Not only was Jeremiah not allowed to marry and have children, but his family was against him. He had NO ONE to go to except God.
There comes a time in our lives where we feel all alone, but God is there. He is just waiting for us to listen to His voice. He wants to give us peace. Yet, as I have been saying over and over, God wants you to search for Him with ALL your heart. We have to tune out the voices of the false prophets that keep telling us that living in sin and going to church when we feel like it is okay.
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” Matthew 7:15, NIV
Living for God takes dedication.
'Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishouner. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:20–21 King James Version
Keep reading beyond that! There is so much good information in that chapter alone. God wants us to be set apart from the world and the things in it. We are to be a “peculiar” people. (1 Peter 2:9). I am peculiar anyway, but living for God sets me apart from the things of this world.
Just as Jeremiah was chosen, so are you! You are called for a purpose. God has a plan for your life, but He will not force anything on you. He wants you to come willingly to Him. It does require sacrifice on our part. Denying this flesh for one thing. I would like to say that living for God is easy, but it isn’t. It requires determination! Yet, I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Living for God has been the best thing that I have ever done.
So here I am, just as Jeremiah being used by God to give you what I feel the Lord wants you to know. My heart breaks at all of the things that are going on in this world, but thankfully, there is still time to change our lives for the better. How much time? I do not know. I believe the Lord is soon to return, but until He does, I am going to keep writing and doing my best to reach anyone and everyone who will hear the message of salvation.
We need encouragement during these times of chaos, but the only real relief comes from our Creator. When you turn your life over to Him completely, He will forever be walking with you side by side during every storm that comes your way.
I hope that this has encouraged you in some way today. I would love to hear what verses have encouraged you recently in the comments below. Be sure to share this blog post with someone else who could use a little encouragement!