Trust God

Because the Lord revealed their plot to me, I knew it, for at that time he showed me what they were doing. I had been like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter; I did not realize that they had plotted against me, saying,

“Let us destroy the tree and its fruit; let us cut him off from the living, that his name be remembered no more.”

But you, Lord Almighty, who judge righteously and test the heart and mind, let me see your vengeance on them, for to you I have committed my cause. – Jeremiah 11:18-20

When trouble comes your way, remember that God delivers His people. He delivered the prophet Jeremiah who was not aware that his neighbors were plotting against him.

The people’s plans were wicked. However, God saw them. He sees all plots and wickedness. He deals with them in His own time. Yes, God will deal with our offenders.

Jeremiah, a prophet of God, foretold events of the future. He spoke only what God spoke or imparted to him. A prophet’s sight into the future is God’s revelation to him.

He is honest in revealing that revelation. The prophet does not confuse his words with that of God. Without God’s revelation, the prophet is prophetically blind.

Jeremiah would have been ruined and his reputation damaged had God not revealed the evil plot against him. God allowed his servant to see the trap which lay ahead for him.

God’s word is always good news, even though it may seem unpleasant to our ears. God’s word is the only truth.

During the time in which Jeremiah lived, his people considered him to be a prophet of doom. He constantly spoke God’s word to them but they did not want to hear of it.

They were like the people of our day. We do not always welcome God’s truth, particularly if it is not in line with what we prefer to hear.

Some of us, especially men, do not go to the doctor because we fear the news which may be forthcoming. There are some of us who do not like to hear unfavorable news about our politicians. Even though the news may be good for us, but like little children, we cover our ears and say: I don’t want to hear it.

Jeremiah was a prophet from God. The news, which the people perceived as bad news, was good news from God. It was God’s warning to them for their benefit and for life.

Through his prophet, he kept the people informed about their future. He showed them their evil ways. Unfortunately, they did not want to hear Jeremiah’s message because he did not tell them what they wanted to hear.

In our world today, people clamor to places of worship where they are told what they want to hear. They go to those places because they are not interested in God’s word, only their own interest.

The people considered Jeremiah’s message to be destructive and subversive. Consequently, the people plotted to take Jeremiah’s life. They cruelly plotted to erase his name from the face of the earth: “Let us destroy the tree and its fruits; let us cut him off from the land of the living that his name be remembered no more.”

Jeremiah was only a messenger. He imparted God’s words to the people as they were revealed to him.

Therefore, when the people rebelled against the prophet, they were not really rebelling against him. They were, in fact, rebelling against God. When the pastor speaks God’s word in truth, those who hear it and rebel, are rebelling against God.

Consequently, as you live out your life upon this earth, follow the path of God. Be aware that the devil, through his agents, will come up against you. People will slander your name. They will say evil things about you. Take heart, God is on your side. He is there to comfort and guide you. Like the prophet, trust God; He will give you the power to overcome. Amen.

• Rev. Samuel M. Boodle, pastor at the Lutheran Church of Nassau, 119 John F. Kennedy Drive, can be reached at P.O. Box N 4794, Nassau, Bahamas; or telephone: 426-9084; E-mail: lutheranchurch@coralwave.com; website: www.nassaulutheranchurch.org.

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