Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 14
This message came to Jeremiah from the Lord, explaining why he was holding back the rain:
“Judah wilts;
commerce at the city gates grinds to a halt.
All the people sit on the ground in mourning,
and a great cry rises from Jerusalem.
The nobles send servants to get water,
but all the wells are dry.
The servants return with empty pitchers,
confused and desperate,
covering their heads in grief.
The ground is parched
and cracked for lack of rain.
The farmers are deeply troubled;
they, too, cover their heads.
Even the doe abandons her newborn fawn
because there is no grass in the field.
The wild donkeys stand on the bare hills
panting like thirsty jackals.
They strain their eyes looking for grass,
but there is none to be found.” – Jeremiah 14:1-6
Have you ever wondered why God is withholding what you need? Have you ever gone through a time of drought in your walk with God and wondered why you can’t feel Him? Are you even now seeking answers and waiting for God’s reply?
DO YOU HAVE ANY UNREPENTED SIN IN YOUR LIFE?
The people say, “Our wickedness has caught up with us, Lord,
but help us for the sake of your own reputation.
We have turned away from you
and sinned against you again and again.
O Hope of Israel, our Savior in times of trouble,
why are you like a stranger to us?
Why are you like a traveler passing through the land,
stopping only for the night?” – Jeremiah 14:7-8
ARE YOU QUESTIONING GOD’S ABILITY OR HIS PRESENCE?
“Are you also confused?
Is our champion helpless to save us?
You are right here among us, Lord.
We are known as your people.
Please don’t abandon us now!” – Jeremiah 14:9
IS GOD’S SILENCE DUE TO OUR ABSENCE?
So this is what the Lord says to his people:
“You love to wander far from me
and do not restrain yourselves.
Therefore, I will no longer accept you as my people.
Now I will remember all your wickedness
and will punish you for your sins.” – Jeremiah 14:10
DO WE SIN WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT GOD IS OBLIGATED TO FORGIVE?
Then I said, “O Sovereign Lord, their prophets are telling them, ‘All is well—no war or famine will come. The Lord will surely send you peace.’”
Then the Lord said, “These prophets are telling lies in my name. I did not send them or tell them to speak. I did not give them any messages. They prophesy of visions and revelations they have never seen or heard. They speak foolishness made up in their own lying hearts.” – Jeremiah 14:13-14
God’s people had willfully walked away from Him and continued in their sin, rejecting the covenant relationship He had made with them. He grieved their disobedience; He mourned for their coming destruction. Jeremiah’s heart matched the heart of God as he prayed for the people — a prayer that we could pray for our nation today as we wait for God to help us.
Lord, we confess our wickedness
and that of our ancestors, too.
We all have sinned against you.
For the sake of your reputation, Lord, do not abandon us.
Do not disgrace your own glorious throne.
Please remember us,
and do not break your covenant with us.
Can any of the worthless foreign gods send us rain?
Does it fall from the sky by itself?
No, you are the one, O Lord our God!
Only you can do such things.
So we will wait for you to help us. – Jeremiah 14:20-22