Jeremiah 14:7-10

“Why should you be like someone confused, like a mighty warrior who cannot give help? Yet you, O Lord, are in the midst of us, and we are called by your name; do not forsake us!” vs. 9

Jeremiah was a complainer and little escaped his notice. He had harsh words for the government; he had contempt for other religious leaders; he even complained about God!

From his perspective Judah was in a tough position. Foreign armies were poised for the attack, a terrible drought was wreaking havoc on grain production, and prophets were forecasting peace and prosperity. Jeremiah was beside himself and couldn’t understand why God seemed to be absent. He feared that God had lost patience and given up on his wandering people. Things looked pretty dismal…yet for all his complaining Jeremiah knew God was in their midst and prayed that Judah would not be forsaken. Sometimes we can identify with Jeremiah’s anguish. There are those moments when our list of complaints grows longer by the day. We get angry with politicians and lose patience with leaders. We worry about climate change and have concerns with our grandchildren’s future. We shut our ears to optimistic appraisals and imagine only doomsday scenarios for ourselves, our country, and our world. But like Jeremiah we know God has not left the building…and we keep on praying we will not be forsaken. May God preserve us from ever losing hope!

Thought for the Day: What are my current complaints?