The Weeping Prophet

 

   “Oh that my head were waters, And my eyes a fountain of tears, That I might weep day and night For the slain of the daughter of my people! Oh that I had in the wilderness A lodging place for travelers; That I might leave my people, and go from them! For they are all adulterers, An assembly of treacherous men.” (Jeremiah 9: 1-2)

 

   Jeremiah was called the “weeping prophet” or the “prophet of loneliness” as he faithfully proclaimed God’s judgment on His people for 40 years. During that time he endured opposition, beatings, and imprisonment. I think it safe to say that we are all happy that God has not called us to such a difficult and lonely work! But we can be thankful that Jeremiah was faithful to do all that God commanded of him. Even as a youth God spoke to him and said:

 

   “’Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.’” (Jeremiah 1:5) and “’Do not say ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,’ says the LORD. (Jeremiah 1: 7-8)

 

    So chapter after chapter we read the faithful words of Jeremiah proclaiming the Words of God to the people; words that were often very painful to speak and even more painful for the people to hear. The majority of the people of Judah in captivity, were not interested in hearing it, and were prone to treat him badly and try to stifle his messages. In chapter 9 verses 3 through 8 he tries to spell out their problem in graphic terms:

 

    “And like their bow they have bent their tongues for lies. They are not valiant for the truth on the earth. For they proceed from evil to evil, And they do not know Me,’ says the LORD. Everyone takes heed to his neighbor, And does not trust his brother; For every brother will utterly supplant, And every neighbor will walk with  slanderers. Everyone will deceive his neighbor, And will not speak the truth; They have taught their tongues to speak lies; They weary themselves to commit iniquity. Your dwelling place is in the midst of deceit; Through deceit they refuse to know Me.’ Says the LORD.” (Jeremiah 9:3-8)

 

    I have to admit when I read this passage I have to think that it is a great description of the people who we live with today. When was the last time you watched the news and saw all the violence and slander that is practiced by so many of the people of our land? God, through Jeremiah, pinpoints the problem very succinctly: “Through deceit they refuse to know Me.” (verse 8)

 

    As always in Scripture, God has some good advice for us, even though we may have been well described above as a people who are liars and bent on doing evil:

 

   “Thus says the LORD: ‘Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,’ says the LORD.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

 

   Did you hear that? Our God wants you and I to know Him and to understand Him! He exercises “lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.” He is the one who wants to have a personal relationship with you and desires to spend time with you everyday. He told Jeremiah that He had formed him in the womb and that He knew him! That is true of you also! He knew you when He formed you and He knows you now. He has a purpose for your life and you just need to get in touch with Him, and as you get to know Him and are obedient to His Word, He will guide and lead you for His purposes on this planet. Doesn’t that sound like something your heart has always wanted? Get to know Him today. Take that first step. You will not regret it!

 

 

PRAY

 

1.    Lord, I surrender my life to You today! Please accept my humble prayer to forgive me of my sin and help me today to put You and Your plan for me first in my life.

2.    Lord, help me to spend time in the Scriptures today so that I can know You better and I can understand what You require of a Christ follower.

3.    Thank you Lord for saving me and allowing me to be a part of Your family that I may dwell with You for eternity when I die of when You return to take you church with You to heaven.