This chapter has three main sections: Jeremiah buying a field while Judah is under siege, Jeremiah praying for understanding, and God promising to redeem His people and land after they have been oppressed by Babylon for a time.
” ‘Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. You show steadfast love… great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the children of man, rewarding each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds… You brought your people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders… And you gave them this land, which you swore to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey… But they did not obey your voice or walk in your law. They did nothing of all you commanded them to do. Therefore you have made all this disaster come upon them.’ ” (v17-23 abr)
Jeremiah doesn’t quite comprehend God’s ways and His chosen methods. Despite this confusion, Jeremiah still addresses God with the utmost respect, reminding Himself of who God is and what He has done. There is no question in Jeremiah’s mind that he is speaking to the One True God, Lord of all, who is fully worthy of our utmost respect and honor.
My takeaway from today’s passage is to honor, respect, and remember God for who He is and what He has done. It’s so easy to casually pray without posturing myself correctly, and respecting the Lord God Almighty. Let’s spend a moment reorienting ourselves to who God truly is. We can use Jeremiah’s prayer as a guide to how we can properly address our Lord and King.
Father God, Creator of the heavens and the earth, You are great in power and mighty in deed. None can compare to You O Lord, and nothing is beyond Your ability. You are steadfast in love and infinite in grace, showering Your image-bearers with mercy. You have shown us many signs and wonders, and have historically proven Yourself to be a strong protector of Your people. You promise to bless us beyond our imaginations, and deliver us from disaster, saving our spirits through the blood of Jesus. We confess our limited understanding cannot fully fathom You O God, for Your infinite ways are far beyond our finite capacities. Please deliver us from evil, and protect our souls from harm, as we commit our lives to serving and obeying You. May we endure this life with Your strength and empowerment, and look forward to Your glorious, unhindered presence in eternity. For Your glory we seek to honor You through our words and actions, for today and eternity, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training