When trials come, they tend to come in multiples, stretching our faith and our resilience. Thoughts arise that leave us unsettled and anxiety tries to wiggle into every detail of the testing, BUT in the midst of these hardships the Spirit of God whispers so tenderly… “Come unto Me, all who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest.” Can we have rest in spite of chaos? Yes, in Him.
Jeremiah was a prophet, called to declare the truth of God to a disbelieving people. He put his whole heart and soul into following God, but things didn’t go as he had hoped. He was beaten and put in stocks; he was mocked mercilessly, but he endured in his commitment to God. His message was one of coming judgment (not the type of message to win friends), but he was God’s messenger in rebellious times, and he was faithful to speak the hard truth.
We must get beyond the thought that God’s blessings will flow upon his faithful servants in this life. Before blessing is often persecution, and before joy is tears.
Jeremiah recalls his suffering… “I cry out, ‘My splendor is gone! Everything I had hoped for in the Lord is lost. The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time as I grieve over my loss. Yet, this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning: Great is Thy faithfulness.’” (Lamentations 3:18-23)
Friends, may we lift our eyes past the problems to the Giver of life. And may our discouragement be drowned out by Hope. We serve a living Savior that delights in meeting us in the midst of the fire. We aren’t in these trials alone. What a joy to be His and to know that He is completely faithful. Praise His name!
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