The prophet Jeremiah consistently was given by God an unpopular message for an unresponsive people. I am sure there were many days when he felt like the most unpopular person in Jerusalem and maybe in all of Judea. Felt like, did I say? He probably was!
No wonder there are times when he expresses his wish that he had not been born; that God had not given him the responsibility to preach such a hard message; that it was not fair that he often was a lone messenger disagreeing with a group of false prophets who delivered comforting, popular messages.
At times God gives to Jeremiah words of encouragement and comfort. He reminds Jeremiah of His Divine Presence and of the importance and truth of the message Jeremiah is delivering.
However on one occasion he challenges Jeremiah and seems to say: "Look, Jeremiah; if you can't handle this assignment, if you think things are tough and too much now, how are you going to handle the bigger challenge ahead, when the going gets really rough?" This is the word picture, the actual words of God (12:5):
“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?
They might be God's words to you or me today. "There are bigger challenges ahead so don't let the present challenges wear you out or cause you to stumble." Ouch! Not very comforting or optimistic words, but perhaps realistic.
Thank you God that we can add to this challenge, the more familiar words in Hebrews about running in the midst of difficulty: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses ---. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, --- so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." 12:1 - 3
In fact if these words are especially appropriate for you today, you might want to read the entire passage of 12:1 - 13. Or even read chapter 11 as well.
Keep running, don't lose heart, even if your life assignment becomes more difficult. Eyes up - on Jesus!
No wonder there are times when he expresses his wish that he had not been born; that God had not given him the responsibility to preach such a hard message; that it was not fair that he often was a lone messenger disagreeing with a group of false prophets who delivered comforting, popular messages.
At times God gives to Jeremiah words of encouragement and comfort. He reminds Jeremiah of His Divine Presence and of the importance and truth of the message Jeremiah is delivering.
However on one occasion he challenges Jeremiah and seems to say: "Look, Jeremiah; if you can't handle this assignment, if you think things are tough and too much now, how are you going to handle the bigger challenge ahead, when the going gets really rough?" This is the word picture, the actual words of God (12:5):
“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?
They might be God's words to you or me today. "There are bigger challenges ahead so don't let the present challenges wear you out or cause you to stumble." Ouch! Not very comforting or optimistic words, but perhaps realistic.
Thank you God that we can add to this challenge, the more familiar words in Hebrews about running in the midst of difficulty: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses ---. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, --- so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." 12:1 - 3
In fact if these words are especially appropriate for you today, you might want to read the entire passage of 12:1 - 13. Or even read chapter 11 as well.
Keep running, don't lose heart, even if your life assignment becomes more difficult. Eyes up - on Jesus!
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