“Therefore thus says the LORD: ‘If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. . . for I am with you to save you and deliver you, declares the LORD. I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.’” (Jeremiah 15:19, 20b)
Jeremiah was a prophet who complained to the Lord many times during the course of his ministry. The words we read this week he uttered in response to his recent proclamation of the destruction of Jerusalem, a proclamation that brought him loneliness as his fellow Jews ostracized him. He protested that he was being treated unfairly for he had remained faithful to his call, in fact he had delighted in it from the beginning. He called Yahweh a “deceptive brook” in contrast to 2:13 where he had called Him a “spring of living water.” His comparison implies that God’s word may have dried up, or may have been false from the start. This invited Yahweh’s rebuke, but instead He reminded Jeremiah of his calling. The Lord promised to be with him as long as he preached the the truth. God’s word would prevail despite the opposition of the people of Jerusalem.
Many times in the midst of trials and persecution many of us feel as if God has abandoned us. Many Christians would maintain that we should not complain to God. Yet the example of Jeremiah shows us otherwise. In times of trouble we should take our feelings, complaints and doubts to the Lord and not run from Him. He knows how we feel anyway, but He wants us to trust in Him. Our faith in Him helps us realize that He alone is the source of comfort and strength. As we remain faithful to our calling to love and serve Him, we will find that His truth and goodness will always prevail over evil, no matter the cost to us.