“The Weeping Prophet”
Jeremiah is an Old Testament prophet whose teachings are valuable to us today. Here are four examples: 1) The majority’s opinion is not necessarily God’s will. 2) Although punishment for sin is severe, there is hope in God’s mercy. 3) God will not accept empty or insincere worship, and 4) Serving God does not guarantee earthly security.
Over the next few days, I want to share some things from the writings of Jeremiah. Before doing so, reading his profile taken from the NIV Life Application Bible may help you become better acquainted with him.
Endurance is not a common quality. Many people lack the long-term commitment, caring, and willingness that are vital to sticking with a task against all odds. But Jeremiah was a prophet who endured. His very call by God teaches how intimately God knows us. He valued us before anyone else knew we would exist. God cared for us while we were in our mother’s womb. He planned our lives while our bodies were still being formed. He values us more highly than we value ourselves.
Jeremiah had to depend on God’s love as he developed endurance. His audiences were usually antagonistic or apathetic to his messages. He was ignored; his life was often threatened. He saw both the excitement of a spiritual awakening and the sorrow of a national return to idolatry. With the exception of King Josiah, Jeremiah watched king after king ignore his warnings and lead people away from God. He saw fellow prophets murdered and was severely persecuted himself.
Jeremiah responded to all this with God’s message and human tears. He felt firsthand God’s love for his people and the people’s rejection of that love. But even when he was angry with God and tempted to give up, Jeremiah knew he had to keep going. God had called him to endure.
Jeremiah’s life and culture of his day sound very similar to the culture of our day. We can identify with his frustrations and discouragement, but he encourages us to stay strong and faithful to God during dark times.
Pastor Carnes
