Good Comes in a Hopeless Situation

O. T. #1760  "Good Comes in a Hopeless Situation"
August 20, 2020
Jeremiah 15
Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O LORD God of Hosts.  (verse 16)

LET IT GLOW

Just when we think it can't get any worse for Judah in what was coming ahead, God tells more bad that is ahead for them. Jeremiah comes to the lowest point of his career. He was friendless, forsaken, discouraged, frustrated, even despairs of life itself. But God did not forsake him. Good would come of this hopeless situation. Before we get into that, what is some good that we can glean from this chapter?

In verses 15-21, Jeremiah was reminded of his special call and was strengthened.

• He found God's Word. Jeremiah searched the Scriptures, studied the Law diligently, and was revived by it. Seek and ye shall find.
• He ate it as food for his hungry soul, like food for a hungry body that is satisfied, so Jeremiah's soul found satisfaction and fulfillment.
• God's Word was joy to Jeremiah. Jesus is our hope (mique) of eternal salvation.
• There was rejoicing in his heart. God was with Jeremiah, even during the bad things. He was doing God's will and had peace. Jeremiah received God's Word, he eagerly received them.
• After all, Jeremiah was called by the LORD God of Hosts.

Isn't it overwhelming to consider that a Holy, Almighty God would speak directly to us through His Word? What a privilege it is for Him to care enough for us to challenge our thoughts and actions. So, whether it is encouraging or chastising Words, we should joyfully receive then as life-changing words from our Savior (Yasha).
Do we consider it joy that Almighty God would speak to us?
Are we joyfully trusting Jesus amidst our circumstances?

LET IT GROW

Most of Jeremiah's prophecies were given and written in Jerusalem during 41 years of his ministry that was under the last 5 kings of Judah. He was taken captive to Babylon along with his people, the Jews. It is suggested that Jeremiah went to Egypt and there wrote the last of his book.

In verse 11, God told Jeremiah that it would be well with him, a remnant of faithful believers. However, Judah would pay for their sins of idolatry. The captivity was partly due to King Manasseh's horrible ways.(verse 4) According to 2 Kings 21, he built altars to worship false gods in the Temple. He made his son pass through the fire, observed demonism there. Of course, this angered God. Later, Manasseh repented and removed those abomination objects.

Judah was doing it again. They were in a continuous circle of sin, repentance, changing, then returning to idol worship again. Humans are no different today, due to our sin nature.

Our hope is in Jesus, who heals broken bodies, broken minds, broken hearts, broken lives, and broken relationships. (Sarah young)

Our part is to trust Jesus fully and to thank Him for the restoration. His grace is sufficient. He is our wellspring of Joy.

LET IT GO

Jesus keep me near the cross, there a precious fountain, free to all a healing stream, flows from Calvary's Mountain.
Restore our joy in You today, Jesus.
Jesus, be the good in our hopeless situation.