Jeremiah 15:15-21 (NRSV)
Read Jeremiah 15:15-21 on biblegateway.com
Verse 15O Lord, you know; remember me and visit me, and bring down retribution for me on my persecutors. In your forbearance do not take me away; know that on your account I suffer insult. Verse 16Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts. Verse 17I did not sit in the company of merrymakers, nor did I rejoice; under the weight of your hand I sat alone, for you had filled me with indignation. Verse 18Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Truly, you are to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail. Verse 19Therefore thus says the Lord: If you turn back, I will take you back, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall serve as my mouth. It is they who will turn to you, not you who will turn to them. Verse 20And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, says the Lord. Verse 21I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.
Devotion
“You know.” Feeling betrayed, Jeremiah throws back into the face of God. You gave me your word. It became the core of my being and brought me joy! You are on a first name basis with me! I’ve lived this word, and shared it as you called me to do. So why do I feel alone, abandoned, in pain?
“Why doesn’t God love me?” she asked from her hospital bed. Yes, there are those times when life does not turn out as expected, when one feels alone and abandoned, bewildered, frightened. Maybe it’s happened to you, or someone you know and love. No easy answers come.
What does persist, for Jeremiah and for us, is promise. “I am with you…to save you…to deliver you.” Is it enough? Jeremiah kept going. The promise is there for you and me as well. Today…in this topsy-turvey world …“I am with you.”
Prayer
O God, you know. In these times of bewilderment and pain in so many places, let us hear again and again your promise of healing presence. Give us hope and courage to live and serve in the full confidence of that presence. Amen.
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