August 9 - Jeremiah 12:1-15:21

Good morning everyone, 

Today we find Jeremiah asking the question, “Why does the way of the wicked prosper?” Hmmm, let me see a show of hands (and you know my mind’s eye works well), how many of us have asked that very same question? Why does the murderous drug dealer get to live in the penthouse while honest hardworking folks are barely making ends meet? Why does the cheating spouse get to walk away from their family and be happy while the other is left brokenhearted? Why do the “bad guys” always get the breaks? Do you remember when we were in the Psalms that Asaph, a leader in the temple choirs who was not a wealthy man but totally devoted to God, asked that very same question? 

There are many times when we just do not understand why the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, it doesn’t look balanced to us. We do not see justice being done so we get impatient with God’s timetable and we wonder “why”. When Jeremiah put this question to God, he didn’t receive a “well it is because” type of answer. Oh no! Instead God challenged him with a “if you can not handle this now, how are you ever going to survive when times get tougher?” And seriously friends, if you look at the BIG picture, if justice were to be handed out equally, we would not bode well, for the Bible tells us that we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God, that there is no one righteous, not even one. So if God gave each of what we truly deserve, instead of sending Jesus to die in our stead, well, let’s just say that mansion He is preparing for us in heaven would have a huge “Vacancy” sign hanging out front. You know what I mean?

May I suggest that at those times when we are asking God “why are we going through this?” and “please get me out of this situation” that we would instead ask Him for a stronger back to carry the load we’re assigned and to see what we can learn from the situation. Right? Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” therefore, Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” When we, like Jeremiah, get tired, frustrated and the unjust of the world just gets us down; look up and believe God is in control. Have faith everything happens for a reason then be excited to see God at work. Amen?

Have a good day and to God be the glory.

God bless you all …..