Jeremiah 32 -- Faith Is Obeying In Spite Of Consequences

Jeremiah had been imprisoned by King Zedekiah for prophesying the Babylonian conquest of Judah, and that very army had surrounded the city.  In prison, Jeremiah heard God say, "Your cousin is coming to sell you his field.  Buy it."  The nation was facing total takeover and God wanted him to buy a field?  Seventy years of exile face everyone and Jeremiah wouldn't possibly live long enough to see it himself.  What would he do?

"That, however, is what faith is all about:  obeying God in spite of what we see, how we feel, and what may happen.  Faith is not believing in spite of evidence, but obeying in spite of consequences ... Many people must have laughed, and some probably thought he was crazy."

"Having obeyed God's command by faith, Jeremiah was now wondering how God would ever give him his property; he did the right thing by praying about it.  The best way to handle doubt is to talk to God, be honest about your feelings, and then wait for Him to give you His message from His Word.  True prayer begins with worship and focuses on the greatness of God.  No matter what our problems are, God is greater, and the more we see His greatness, the less threatening our problems will become... The prophet shared his difficult situation with God and turned it over to Him."

"The Lord's reply to Jeremiah affirmed what He had told him in the past:  The city was headed for certain destruction because of the repeated sins of the people ... The Lord then affirmed to him that the situation wasn't lost, for He would gather His people and bring them back to the land ... Next, Jeremiah heard the word that gave him joy:  'And fields shall be bought in this land.'  The day would come when Jeremiah's purchase would be validated and his action sermon vindicated."

"The world laughs at us for our faith and our investments in the future, but one day God will keep His promises and vindicate us before people and angels ... We refuse to sacrifice the eternal for the temporary."

Father God, thank You for teaching me this years ago.  Several that I love have not learned this yet.  With Your mighty power and love, soften their hearts and make them want to know You.  Help them to discover what I have -- that You are worth more than anything this world has to offer!

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford