June 23, 2020

As we read from chapters 19 and now chapter 20, Jeremiah had been struggling with the persecution he and Judah had faced and although continuing to serve God as His prophet he is questioning his calling while enduring through suffering. In the last chapter he still prophesied God’s Word faithfully but we’ll see how he questioned God at the end of this chapter.

Like Jeremiah, it’s easy for us to question God and his calling on our lives when we go through great suffering. As individuals and churches, we’ve seen many who have either gone through long seasons of doubts or completely fall away when persecuted or in a large trial. I remember seeing this in churches where a pastor or top leader had a moral failure and in individual’s lives when people lost their job or had an idol ripped out of their life by God. Of course, this is not always a bad thing for Peter wrote:

6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7

It can also remind us that God never called us to a life of convenience and comfort when calling us to Himself. Just because it’s true and gives us purpose and a mission, doesn’t mean we will be saved from suffering here on this earth. Jeremiah’s ministry was hard work and brought sorrow/shame. He still accepted his role as prophet and it helped him realize that God gets the glory not us. And God is worth that glory.

By: Erik Koliser — West Campus Pastor