Jeremiah 14-15 When I Don't Understand

The Israelites were crying out to God for relief, but they were doing so out of remorse for what was happening to them, not out of repentance for their sin.  So God wasn’t listening as a result.

 

Jeremiah decided that since God had said not to pray for the people, he would include himself with them and by praying for himself, he’d accomplish his goal.  But God’s answer was still the same.  My commentary said, “For God to postpone judgment would have meant encouraging the nation’s sins even more, and this He would not do.”

 

Jeremiah’s heart was filled with turmoil over this, and it led him to doubt God’s faithfulness.  In 15:18, he said, “I don’t understand … I don’t understand…”  My commentary said, “Jeremiah was human and had his failings, but at least he honestly admitted them to God.  Instead of piously covering up his true feelings, he poured out his heart to the Lord, and the Lord answered him.  God’s answer may have shocked the prophet, for the Lord told him he need to repent! … Jeremiah had to learn to walk by faith, which meant obeying God’s word no matter how he felt, what he saw, or what others might do to him … God doesn’t want us to ignore our feelings, because that would make us less than human, but He does want us to trust Him to change our feelings and start walking by faith.”

 

Father, You are in the middle of something big going on at our church.  As part of that process, You introduce change.  Help me to embrace whatever You want to do.  Show me my part in it all, and help me to walk by faith with You as You grow our church.

 

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford