Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:1-2; Jeremiah 12:1-12 (Running With Endurance)
There were a few clichéd “Christianese” expressions that flitted through my mind as I meditated on this week’s theme. Just for the fun of it, I’ll throw
in a quick two to get us started. Yeah; just because I can…!
in a quick two to get us started. Yeah; just because I can…!
“God will not allow you to go through more than you can bear….”
“If you faint the day of adversity, your strength is small”
These statements usually make a lot of sense to us when we are “just reading” them or indeed “ministering the word” to other people; but when we have to
apply them ourselves, or to use a more spiritual sounding word “appropriate them”, especially in trying times, it is a whole other thing entirely.
apply them ourselves, or to use a more spiritual sounding word “appropriate them”, especially in trying times, it is a whole other thing entirely.
It is the start of a new year, and with that invariably, some of us go through different emotions and thoughts as we try to reconcile our disappointments
of the past year with our expectations from the prophecies of the new year.
of the past year with our expectations from the prophecies of the new year.
For many, the only thing new about the year is just the entry on the calendar; we have become so battle weary that we have
stopped actively believing for any meaningful change to happen in our lives. We hope, rather than expect,
that things might change; we have been browbeaten and bullied into submission by the challenges that have been persistent in our lives. The thought
and experiences of the failures and disappointments of previous years have dampened our expectations and life is now being lived in “management mode”.
Just staying alive; keeping our heads above the water and simply praying and hoping that things don’t get worse.
stopped actively believing for any meaningful change to happen in our lives. We hope, rather than expect,
that things might change; we have been browbeaten and bullied into submission by the challenges that have been persistent in our lives. The thought
and experiences of the failures and disappointments of previous years have dampened our expectations and life is now being lived in “management mode”.
Just staying alive; keeping our heads above the water and simply praying and hoping that things don’t get worse.
Is that talking about you?
Hear what God’s word to you today is:
“If you have run with the footmen and they have wearied you, how can you then run with the horsemen?” (Jeremiah
12:5)
12:5)
That was the verse of scripture that the Holy Spirit dropped in my mind as I finished my prayers this morning.
LAMENTATIONS
The story of Jeremiah began with his struggles with accepting his call and him doubting that he was suitably qualified to accomplish the task that God
had set for him. (Read Jer 1:1-10)
had set for him. (Read Jer 1:1-10)
Prophet Jeremiah lived in the discouraging times of Israel’s exile and captivity
Such were the extremities of Jeremiah’s estate, that he was suspected by many bible historians to have suffered from what clinical psychologists today may have called depression.
In this scripture that we read earlier, Jeremiah was going through one of his melancholic periods, and he began lamenting to God about the state of affairs in his nation and in his life. He challenged God with a question that I believe you also might have considered or asked God yourself at some point in time (Jeremiah 12:1-2 NET):
“1LORD, you have always been fair
whenever I have complained to you.
However, I would like to speak with you about the disposition of justice.
Why are wicked people successful?
Why do all dishonest people have such easy lives?
2You plant them like trees and they put down their roots.
They grow prosperous and are very fruitful.
They always talk about you,
but they really care nothing about you.”
Jeremiah was saying to God: “Ah, Lord, this is not fair; You are not being fair to me!”
Just like the person who responded to the statement “life isn’t fair”;
He said: “I know life isn’t fair, but why can’t life be unfair in my favour for once?”
And Jeremiah continues his lamentations to God in Jer 12:3 –
“3But you, LORD, know all about me.
You watch me and test my devotion to you…”
He was asking God, why do people who are evil even by man’s standards; people who do not serve God; people who have no trust in God; people who are
unfaithful to God or even deny Him altogether; how come they are the ones who are prospering and life is easy for them?
unfaithful to God or even deny Him altogether; how come they are the ones who are prospering and life is easy for them?
He was saying to God: “Look at me Lord, you know me, you can testify of my devotion to you and my love for you. Yet; see what my situation is like, what my portion in life has been. Lord; this is not fair!”
Dear friend, be honest with me now; have you ever felt that way about your life or about God? Have you felt unappreciated, taken advantage of, cheated,
deprived, abused, dishonoured, forgotten, neglected, overwhelmed? Can you feel Jeremiah’s pain? Can you understand his frustration?
deprived, abused, dishonoured, forgotten, neglected, overwhelmed? Can you feel Jeremiah’s pain? Can you understand his frustration?
Please take a fresh look at your life and your situation and consider the question that God asked Jeremiah. Do you think God has what it takes to help
you kick it up another level?
you kick it up another level?
Read the following Scriptures in the light of today’s blog and answer the Life Application questions below
.
Further Reading: Malachi 3:13-18; 4:1-3
We will continue with this topic tomorrow as we examine God’s response to Jeremiah in more detail.
LIFE APPLICATION:
1. What is God saying to me in today’s message?
2. What was ministered to me in the bible verses that I read today?
3. What are the changes or adjustments I need to make in my life to align with the word of God?
4. What is my commitment to the word for today?
5. What practical steps can I take to benefit from the word I have read today?
PRAYER FOCUS:
What are the things that have happened or are happening in your life right now that are making you feel discouraged or anxious? Be real with God today.
Bring them before Him and open your heart to Him.
Bring them before Him and open your heart to Him.
Ask God for the strength and for His grace to make it through.
Ask Him to work in you to activate the faith to believe Him for the changes that He has promised in your life in this season.
Pray to God to establish His peace in your mind as you wait on Him to bring the change into manifestation.
Have a great week,
Pastor Wale Ola
MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK: Psalms 121:1-2