It is virtually impossible to measure another person’s pain objectively. Jeremiah accused God of not helping him when he really needed it. Jeremiah had taken his eyes off God’s purposes and was feeling sorry for himself. He was angry, hurt and afraid. God’s response was not that of anger at Jeremiah; he answered by reorienting Jeremiah’s priorities. As God’s mouthpiece he was to influence the people, not let them influence him.
We all have suffered pain in our lives. Acute pain is sudden while chronic pain is continuous or ongoing. Certain events in life can cause sudden pain or we may be living with continuous pain. Pain is not always physical; sometimes it can be emotional, mental and even spiritual. Life at times causes us to be angry and hurt.
Jeremiah’s call by God teaches us how intimately God knows us. He valued us before anyone else knew we would exist. He cared for us while we were in our mother’s womb. God values us more highly than we value ourselves. Jeremiah felt first hand God’s love for his people and the people’s rejection of that love. The scripture tells us that Jeremiah is addressing God and wondering why his pain is continuing and his wounds seem incurable. He felt that God was prolonging his suffering. Worse yet, he wondered if the God who claimed to be a spring of living water had become like a deceptive brook or a spring that failed. Maybe you are feeling this way today. God is not a man that he should lie, nor the son of man that he should repent. (Num 23:19) There are three important lessons in this passage.
1. In prayer we can reveal our deepest thoughts to God
2. God expects us to trust him no matter what
3. We are here to influence others
It may be easy for us to identify with Jeremiah’s frustrations and discouragement, but we need to realize that this prophet’s life is also an encouragement to faithfulness. Regardless of opposition and personal cost, Jeremiah courageously and faithfully proclaimed the Word of God. We live in a world filled with pain; the entire earth groans. We live with people who have been hurt and people who have hurt others. Today let us be reminded that God never abandons us or leaves us for any reason. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. (Romans 8:39) He is very much aware of the pain that we suffer. Jesus is our example. Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Jesus went from Agony to Destiny, a road we will all have to take one day. Be strong in the Lord and the power of his might. God Loves You and So do I….Pastor Tammy
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