Jeremiah 15:15-21 KJV
[15] O Lord, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke. [16] Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts. [17] I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation. [18] Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail? [19] Therefore thus saith the Lord, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them. [20] And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brasen wall: and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the Lord. [21] And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.
Jeremiah was faithful when it was not popular!
Jeremiah suffered for his faithfulness!
Jeremiah depended on GOD’s promises!
Jeremiah was charged with telling Israel the judgement that was coming. It wasn’t hopeless but very nearly. Jeremiah’s message and lifestyle was not popular. I imagine his friends and family could be heard commenting on how much better he could do for himself. Do you ever feel that way? Sometimes our faithfulness to GOD requires us to take the less beaten path. The LORD may even allow a perceived calamity to occur in your life because it will align you with HIS purpose. Being human, we will question HIS faithfulness.
Look at the suffering Jeremiah endured for his faithfulness. It was more than a little verbal gossip. More than a little ridicule. It was full out persecution, beatings, humiliation and imprisonment. Do you think that Jeremiah felt like the whole world turned against him? Yet, we know there was a remnant that trusted GOD and were faithful. How did they survive? They had a good example in Jeremiah. We must look for others being faithful to GOD, they are suffering in ways we may not see. Speaking truth is dangerous and we should be praying daily for our sisters and brothers. We must keep encouraging each other to not be afraid and obey GOD.
We know that we are pilgrims on earth. This is not our final home. We cannot trust GOD and man. Men will lead us wrong, they will deceive us for their gain. Never has the deception from our officials been more obvious, across the world. We know the way this ends, The Lord wins! However, in the meantime, we must obey, call all our friends to repent and believe on the LORD JESUS. Any suffering for this cause is a crown for JESUS.
Today, we sang “What If It Were Today”. Has your life with JESUS spilled over into everything else you do? Have you prepared? Are you a critic or living for HIS purpose? Are you ready to meet JESUS? What crowns do you have for HIM?