The Lord has had enough!

JEREMIAH    CHAPTER 15

The Lord told Jeremiah that he was so disgusted by the sins of the people that even if Moses and Samuel stood before him pleading for the people, he wouldn't help them.

The Lord told Jeremiah that he would send four kinds of destroyers against the people: the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, the vultures to devour and the wild animals to finish up what is left. Because of the wicked things Manasseh, son of Hezekiah, king of Judah did in Jerusalem, God would make his people an object of horror to all the kingdoms of the earth. He would raise his clenched fist to destroy them all and give no further chances. There would be more widows than grains of sand along the seashore. At noontime he would bring a destroyer against the mothers of young men and cause them great anguish and terror. Those left will be handed over to the enemy to be killed.

Then Jeremiah asked why didn't God have him die at birth because he was so hated everywhere he went and everyone cursed him. And the Lord replied that all would be well for Jeremiah. But Jeremiah continued to ask the Lord that even though he was suffering, could the Lord be merciful to him yet punish his persecutors. He tells the Lord that he never feasted with the people, but sat alone. He burst with indignation at their sins, so why, he asks, does his suffering continue? He likens the Lord's help to a spring that went dry.

The Lord replied that if Jeremih would return to him, he would continue to serve the Lord. His words would be worthy and he would be spokesman for the Lord. And though the people would fight against him, the Lord would make him secure as a fortified wall. He would protect Jeremiah and rescue him from the cruel hands of wicked men.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Three important lessons from this passage ( verses 17-21): 1. In prayer we can reveal our deepest thoughts to God. 2. God expects us to trust him, no matter what. 3. We are here to influence others for God.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? We can see the prophet Jeremiah being twisted and turned and confused by what is going on around him. He accuses God of not helping him when he needed it. Clearly he was feeling sorry for himself and at this point was slipping away from the importance of God's purpose. Is not the same kind of feeling possible in our times? Don't we often feel sorry for ourselves and let our feelings cloud the purpose of God?

There is much destruction in this chapter. It shows that even the Lord can reach a point when wickedness of man must be dealt with. The people may have argued that they were not responsible for King Manasseh's sins, but they were continuing the sins long after the king was gone. In today's world we too, can't be excused if we follow corrupt leaders.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:


HEALTH: Pray for Gabe.

Pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life.

Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer and for her sister Wanda’s soul which went to heaven.

Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with a form of MS.

Pray for Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.

Pray for Gary Summers, my friend from church, who has cancer.

Pray for Judy’s husband who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Pray for her too, that she can deal with the side effects of his illness.

Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who is undergoing chemo for his prostate cancer. Update on Robert: he has one more treatment and then three months of waiting for his psat test to come back clean.

Pray for James’s sister Cynthia whose chemo has lost its effect as the cancer grows powerful.

SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary

RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John

LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian

SUPPORT: Pray for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom. Pray for our famers and those who raise livestock during this terrible drought.