Don't quit

Most of what I know about Jeremiah, the book, is the verse that shows up all over the place, Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." And that's not a bad thing to know, a good promise. Yesterday, we looked at the earlier Jeremiah, at the man, the prophet who struggled for 20 years with the message that God sent. People hated him. He struggled to do God's will, answered the call, and people really hated him for it. And Jeremiah got really angry at God. Who could really blame him? He's suffering, he's obedient, and it looks like nothing is changing. I'd be angry and bitter and depressed, too. And disappointed in God. It's a tough place to be. I've been there.

Jeremiah 20:18 says
18 Why did I ever come out of the womb
to see trouble and sorrow
and to end my days in shame?

But there was hope for Jeremiah. This wasn't the end. Now we know that his life was going to change, radically change. Things were going to get better. He'd see results. But he had to hold on. The 2 key points of the sermon were:
1. Even when God is silent, He is still working. Even Jesus felt the absence of God. But God was still working in the world. Saving the world.
2. Don't stop talking to God. Jeremiah ranted at God, but he didn't give up on God. He continued to claim God's promises. I've been here. Angry and disillusioned but totally hopeless without something to hold on and believe in. And I know that God has promised me that He's going to bring about something good from all the stuff in my life because I belong to Him.

We talked also in my joy Bible study about how it's so easy to sit in judgement of other people who seem to lead a charmed life, no difficulties at all. There really aren't many of them out there, but there are some. And I can sit back and think to myself how much stronger I am than they are until I run up against someone else who's carried more and better than I have. What right do I have to be angry and disillusioned when I've had such an easy life? Thank goodness God doesn't quit on us either. And he loves me even when I rant...or worse, whine.