SWAYED OR STEADY?

Reading: Jeremiah 15: 10-21

The people of Judah have refused to listen to what God is saying to them through Jeremiah. They are continuing in their rebellious ways and Jeremiah becomes the butt of their hatred. He is fearful for his life and pleads with God to save him. He reminds God how he has always delighted in his words, yet all it seems to have brought upon him is suffering. He even says to the Lord, “Your help seems as uncertain as a seasonal brook. It is like a spring that has gone dry.” It is from passages like this that we have coined the phrase, “Don’t be a Jeremiah” referring to someone who is always moaning! There is also the word jeremiad, meaning a long mournful complaint. It isn’t particularly fair on the prophet for he was, undeservedly, going through a dreadful time. God’s response contains as much challenge as it does comfort. “If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. If you speak words that are worthy, you will be my spokesman. You are to influence them; do not let them influence you. They will fight against you like an attacking army, but I will make you as secure as a fortified wall. They will not conquer you, for I will protect and deliver you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” We can be swayed and influenced by so many things, can’t we, especially if our comfort zones are threatened? When times become hard and particularly if we are suffering unjustly, it can seem as if God either does not hear our cries for help or intervention, or else that he is very far away. We, too, can bemoan our fate, wish that we had never been born, long for a way out, question why this thing is happening to us and why the wicked always seem to prosper. We have tried to hear God’s voice, to be faithful servants but it seems to make no impact on those around us. In fact, at times, their misunderstanding, even abuse in relation to what we are about increases. This is all very confusing, especially if our desire and delight, like Jeremiah, has been to honour God in all things. At such times maybe we need to pause, examine again our relationship with God and affirm where our trust lies. If you like, we need to return to him so that he can restore us, strengthen us and make us like a fortified wall. As people of faith we are called, through our actions and reactions to influence others rather than be swayed by every wind of adversity or popularity that blows. As we are steady in faith and trust we can be certain that we will find God faithful, for he cannot be false to himself. He will not mollycoddle us but he will protect and rescue us.

Jesus told a story once about a wise person who built his house on rock. When a huge storm came it stood firm because it was built on solid ground. Another person built his house on sand. When the floods rose and swept against it, it collapsed into ruins because it had no foundation. In spite of his very honest questions and complaints, Jeremiah’s ‘house’ was built on firm foundations. Is ours? Are we swayed or steady?

 

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