July 19, 2021
What does it say?
Jeremiah was physically punished for prophesying God’s impending wrath. In prayer, he both complained to the Lord and praised His name for deliverance.
What does it mean?
No one had more reason to be discouraged in ministry than Jeremiah. His prayer in this passage is a roller coaster of emotions. He felt ill prepared by God for the rejection and abuse he had endured and wanted to quit, but he found it impossible to stay quiet. As he prayed for vengeance, Jeremiah came to better understand God’s heart regarding Judah – their increasing wickedness had to be dealt with, but the high cost to His beloved people and city was heart-wrenching. Is it any wonder he lamented being born in such sorrowful times? At the height of the prayer, Jeremiah remembered God’s promises for his ministry (1:19; 15:20), leading him again to worship the Lord.
How should I respond?
Jesus never promised that following Him would be easy; in fact, He warned that it would be difficult (John 16:33). Are you discouraged when you don’t see results in your ministry efforts or when someone publicly ridicules your faith? How can you keep from being disheartened when you’re tempted to give up? Listen to music that focuses your mind on the Lord; nurture relationships with other believers for mutual encouragement. Most importantly, search Scripture for promises and meditate on them through prayer. Having a godly mindset will help you stand firm and focused during challenging times.