Jeremiah 18: 19-20 Give heed to me, O Lord, and hearken to the voice of them that contend with me. Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember that I stood before thee to speak good for them , and to turn away thy wrath from them.
The cry of the Prophet Jeremiah, pleading with the Most High to help him in his struggle with the disobedient Israelites. As usual, they had gone their own sinful, selfish way, and when Jeremiah tried to warn them about the calamities God was planning to befall them, they arrogantly ignored him. In their obstinacy, they even wanted to ‘devise devices’ against him, ‘to smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.’ I know how Jeremiah must have felt. Ungratefulness can really kill the spirit, do irreconcilable damage to the soul and psyche. There he’d been, faithfully interceding with God on their behalf, asking Him not to make the punishment for their disobedience too harsh, then, ungratefully they turn on him. I’m sure some even plotted violence in their hearts. O Friends, unfortunately it seems that that is a part of our human nature. It happens so often…too often; the people we try to help are oftimes the very ones who turn against us. As Jeremiah bewailed, ‘shall evil be recompensed for good?’ Sadly Friends, the answer is yes. But Jesus, our Leader, said that we ought to LOVE those who hurt us, turn the other cheek and forgive them. And not only to think that in our souls, but more importantly show it in our actions. Feed them and give them drink. That way, we’ll heap burning coals on their heads, hopefully shame them into rethinking their sinful ways. And if any retribution is necessary, the Most High will repay. That’s His job, not ours. Our task is not to be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good. Ah People! I know it’s difficult; certainly a hard row to hoe, and sometimes it even seems impossible. But that’s the reality of our faith, and remember that with God, all things are possible. I know we don’t have the wherewithal that Jesus had, being the Son of God, sinless and all that, but He still requires that we try to be like Him. That’s why He gave us His Holy Spirit to live within us. It’s supposed to be our rock, our anchor that steadies us in the time of storm. It’s a perfect reflection of Him; His strength, His mercy and His loving kindness. We will never attain the level He did; perfection, because of our sinful nature, but He requires His followers to die, trying. Much LOVE!…when we truly aspire to be like the Son…the Father smiles down on us…
The cry of the Prophet Jeremiah, pleading with the Most High to help him in his struggle with the disobedient Israelites. As usual, they had gone their own sinful, selfish way, and when Jeremiah tried to warn them about the calamities God was planning to befall them, they arrogantly ignored him. In their obstinacy, they even wanted to ‘devise devices’ against him, ‘to smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.’ I know how Jeremiah must have felt. Ungratefulness can really kill the spirit, do irreconcilable damage to the soul and psyche. There he’d been, faithfully interceding with God on their behalf, asking Him not to make the punishment for their disobedience too harsh, then, ungratefully they turn on him. I’m sure some even plotted violence in their hearts. O Friends, unfortunately it seems that that is a part of our human nature. It happens so often…too often; the people we try to help are oftimes the very ones who turn against us. As Jeremiah bewailed, ‘shall evil be recompensed for good?’ Sadly Friends, the answer is yes. But Jesus, our Leader, said that we ought to LOVE those who hurt us, turn the other cheek and forgive them. And not only to think that in our souls, but more importantly show it in our actions. Feed them and give them drink. That way, we’ll heap burning coals on their heads, hopefully shame them into rethinking their sinful ways. And if any retribution is necessary, the Most High will repay. That’s His job, not ours. Our task is not to be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good. Ah People! I know it’s difficult; certainly a hard row to hoe, and sometimes it even seems impossible. But that’s the reality of our faith, and remember that with God, all things are possible. I know we don’t have the wherewithal that Jesus had, being the Son of God, sinless and all that, but He still requires that we try to be like Him. That’s why He gave us His Holy Spirit to live within us. It’s supposed to be our rock, our anchor that steadies us in the time of storm. It’s a perfect reflection of Him; His strength, His mercy and His loving kindness. We will never attain the level He did; perfection, because of our sinful nature, but He requires His followers to die, trying. Much LOVE!…when we truly aspire to be like the Son…the Father smiles down on us…
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