This chapter is interesting. It begins with Jeremiah observing a potter remaking a vessel, and God using this as analogy for how He’ll remake His people. It ends with Jeremiah lamenting and inviting God’s wrath upon his enemies.
” ‘Hear me, O Lord, and listen to the voice of my adversaries. Should good be repaid with evil? Yet they have dug a pit for my life. Remember how I stood before you to speak good for them, to turn away your wrath from them. Therefore… give them over to the power of the sword; May their men meet death by pestilence, their youths be struck down by the sword in battle. Yet you, O Lord, know all their plotting to kill me. Forgive not their iniquity, nor blot out their sin from your sight. Let them be overthrown before you; deal with them in the time of your anger.’ ” (v19-21, 23 abr)
A few chapters ago Jeremiah was pleading that God have mercy on his enemies, and now he’s asking for God to unforgivingly destroy them. Jeremiah’s patience has worn thin with his own people, for they refuse to repent, and are now plotting to kill him for being God’s prophet. I can’t really blame him for losing hope in them.
I can get frustrated with people too. Though I’m more forgiving, understanding, and patient than I’ve ever been, I still have my limits. Thankfully for us, God has great patience, deep understanding, and an unlimited capacity to forgive.
I need to partner with the Holy Spirit every moment of every day, otherwise my love, patience, kindness, gentleness, and capacity for forgiveness, will be severely hampered (if not completely non-existent). Perhaps you feel the same? Let’s ask for help today, so we can better represent Jesus in all that we say and do.
Father God, our Lord of Grace and Mercy, please help us to peacefully and joyfully accept the things which are beyond our control. Please grant us courage in the face of difficult moments, and wisdom to avoid foolish efforts. Please help us to take each day, each moment, one at a time, treating others as Jesus did, and entrust their souls into Your hands. May we do Your will on earth, willingly and joyfully, until we join You in glory. In the precious and loving name of Jesus we praise You, amen.
[Inspired by a ‘serenity prayer’]
~ Conqueror in Training