You are always righteous, Lord, when I bring a case before you. Yet I would speak with you about your justice … Jeremiah 12:1
I am always startled by Jeremiah's complaint. It's as if he is saying, "Of course you are righteous, God, but your justice needs some work."
In Jeremiah's defense, he had been given a pretty rough assignment. He was called to be one of the last prophets before the remnant of Israel was dragged off to exile by Nebuchadnezzar. For over forty years God, through Jeremiah, had warned Israel. Swimming upstream amid the flotsam and jetsam of politics, religious deception, slander and threats against his life, Jeremiah had prophesied, yet nothing seemed to change, only get worse. Jeremiah complains:
Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? … How long will the land lie parched and the grass in every field be withered? Jeremiah 12:1-2, 4
God's answer to Jeremiah is a gentle reproof:
If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan? Jeremiah 12:5
Basically, God is saying to Jeremiah, as J. Vernon McGee put it, "If you are troubled now by what things are going to happen, well, you ain't seen nothing yet! Things are to get lots worse, Jeremiah. And if you're troubled now, what are you going to do when it really gets bad?"1
It seemed pretty bad already to Jeremiah. He bemoaned the very day he was born:
Alas, my mother, that you gave me birth, a man with whom the whole land strives and contends! I have neither lent nor borrowed, yet everyone curses me. Jeremiah 15:10
But then Jeremiah goes a little bit too far. Remember, he is speaking to the Spring of Living Water Himself. Jeremiah accuses God of failing him.
Why is my pain unending and my wound grievous and incurable? You are to me like a deceptive brook, like a spring that fails. Jeremiah 15:18
Now God must rebuke Jeremiah.
Therefore this is what the Lord says: "If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman." Jeremiah 15:19
I think that these passages speak to us in our time here in the United States. We have only begun to see persecution against Christians. We have not yet resisted to the point of shedding our blood.
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son." Hebrews 12:3-6
Perseverance. Standing for the truth though everyone curses us. Repenting and saying worthy words. Speaking the truth in love. Uplifting, encouraging, edifying words to Christian brothers; words of life, truth, light to those without.
It is not God's justice that needs work – it's us. He is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness (Psalm 85:15). He is a passionate, one-track Father, who from beginning to end has wanted one thing: to bring all of his children home. He wants us to join in that passion.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:13
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! Philippians 4:1
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Philippians 4:5
Read more about Worthless Words
1Thru the Bible Vol. 24: The Prophets (Jeremiah/Lamentations), J. Vernon McGee.
Image, free download from Pixexid, A young Kenyan athlete training barefoot, leaving a trail of dust behind on the red dirt road under the African sun, by Ralph
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