Sunday, September 13

Why O Lord? How long?



            Jer 12:1  Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with
          thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore
         doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they
happy that deal very treacherously?

          Jeremiah was frustrated at the same thing that sometimes frustrates us.  His concern was how was it that the wicked prospered and seemed to enjoy life.  In it all he acknowledged the righteousness of God.  We must never fail to acknowledge that.  He is righteous whether we understand Him or not.

          Jeremiah pled his own fidelity.  In verse 3 he pled the fact that God knew him, and that He had tried him.  On this basis he felt he could plead with God.  In verse 4 he pled, "How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither?

          Judah was oblivious to their peril.  In verse 4 we see not only her mourning and the withering of the herbs, but we are told that the inhabitants were wicked.  We are also told that the beasts were consumed as well as the birds.  Judah did not believe God was aware of their coming end.  Jeremiah, however, was informed that things would get worse.  In verse 5 the question is if you tired while running with the footman, how will you contend with the horses?

          In verses 7-9 Judah was warned of the then coming Babylonian Captivity.  False pastors had left them desolate.  How terrible when pastors are unfaithful to the Lord in their lives and in their preaching!  In verses 14-17, however hope is given to Judah of their coming conversion and blessing from God.

          Let all this encourage us to be faithful to our God, Jesus.  The time of His return really seems to be soon.  We don't want to stand before Him and have to hang our heads in shame.

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