Many times in life, the struggles we face often lead to destructive results and tendencies. Instead of allowing these frustrations to negatively affect our lives, we should learn how to use the struggles to bring endurance, not destruction.
Today we are going to look at Jeremiah 12.1-6 and discuss how to accomplish this. Jeremiah writes in verses 1-2…
You are always righteous, Lord, when I bring a case before you. Yet I would speak with you about your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?
You have planted them, and they have taken root; they grow and bear fruit. You are always on their lips but far from their hearts.
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We see Jeremiah’s frustration as he calls out to God. Even though he knows that God is always right, he still has questions. He asks why God would allow the wicked to prosper and the faithless to live at ease.
I am sure all of us can understand this frustration. We all know people that seem to be blessed by God even though they have no desire for Him. How can this be?
Jeremiah’s response leads to a cry for destruction. He writes in verses 3-4…
Yet you know me, Lord; you see me and test my thoughts about you. Drag them off like sheep to be butchered! Set them apart for the day of slaughter!
How long will the land lie parched and the grass in every field be withered? Because those who live in it are wicked, the animals and birds have perished. Moreover, the people are saying, “He will not see what happens to us.”
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Again, we hear the frustration in Jeremiah’s plea. He calls out to God, who sees and knows Jeremiah. He asks for God to come and destroy these people. Even though things were looking bad in the land because of the wickedness of men, these men did not seem to have any fear of God. Jeremiah just wanted God to deal with these evil people.
In response, God says in verses 5-6…
“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?
Your relatives, members of your own family—even they have betrayed you; they have raised a loud cry against you. Do not trust them, though they speak well of you.
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God revealed to Jeremiah that he was to learn how to deal with such wickedness and faithlessness, to work through it. By working through the struggles brought on by such individuals, God was preparing him for greater struggles and battles that awaited him.
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The same is true for us. There will probably be harder times ahead for those who call on Jesus. So, we should allow our current struggles to strengthen us for those times to come.
With this in mind, where are we seeing the wicked and faithless prospering? How might this be strengthening us for the future? Also, instead of complaining about the things happening around us, let us learn how we can grow in our faith and witness. By doing this, we will be preparing for times when things get harder.
Just a Thought…
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