Could it be that the reason it has you feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and helpless is because it’s not yours to handle?
This morning, as I was thinking about some situations and telling the Lord that “I just didn’t know what to do” – I felt him whisper, “That’s because it’s not your job. It’s mine and I know exactly what to do.”
How much of our stress is because we don’t stay in our lane?
👉 The people continued to follow their own “stubborn, evil wills” and refused to listen to the Lord (v 10-12). As a result of rejecting the Lord, they also turned their backs on his:
• peace • steadfast love • mercy • favor
The things we forfeit, friends, when we think we know better than God. We are promised these things in Christ – so when I feel a lack of them – perhaps I need to do a heart check. Where have I been choosing my stubborn, evil will over God’s? Not that I think he removes these things from us as Christ followers, but that we reject them by rejecting Him and His will.
👉 There will come a day when God gathers his people again. When they are brought back from exile and returned to their own land (v 14-15).
[This gives me rapture vibes.]
But – before that happens – the people will pay doubly for their ongoing iniquity (v 18).
👉 Jeremiah’s Prayer (v 19-20)
The Lord is:
• his strength • his stronghold • his refuge
The Idols are:
• deceptive • worthless • unprofitable • not gods
Lord, give us hearts that always choose you and the wisdom to see through the lies of the enemy.
👉 God’s promise to Jeremiah bc of his faithfulness (v 19-21):
• restoration • His presence • deliverance • redemption
Just like every believer before and after him, Jeremiah had to know and believe the promises of God in order to face the persecution and pain of the world.
👉 Whatever you are enduring today – whatever pain you are facing – whatever trial you are dealing with – God’s promises are the same.
RESTORATION
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10
HIS PRESENCE
“…And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20
DELIVERANCE
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7
REDEMPTION
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. Ephesians 1:7
Have a great Monday, friends. Go out there today and live like you’re loved – because you are. ♥️
👉 The situation isn’t great for the people (v 2-6). There is:
• mourning • lamenting • no water or rain • no grass or vegetation
👉 So, Jeremiah pleads on behalf of the people (v 7-9). He confesses to:
• iniquities • backslidings • sins
And he asks the Lord to:
• please act • save • do not leave
But the Lord knows that, while the people may be hating their current situation, their hearts had not changed (v 10).
👉 As frustrated as I get reading these passages, I can only imagine how frustrating it was for Jeremiah to live it.
“Why,” we might ask. Why didn’t the people just straighten up, listen to the Lord, and do the right things?
And the answer is right there in verse 13.
The people listened to false prophets who promised peace.
The false prophets guaranteed them safety and peace. But – here’s the thing about false prophets – they’re false. They lie. They offer things that they do not have the ability to deliver.
Think of all the places you’ve gone – things you’ve tried – people you’ve chased – trying to find peace. And you didn’t find it because those people, places and things did not have the ability to give it.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.” John 16:33
