Dear Missionary Lady,
Greetings in the name of the God who never faces a day that
is too hard for Him. Isn't that an amazing thought? Some of us are living in
times when it seems like every day is too hard, but that never happens for God.
God gave Jeremiah a powerful lesson about this truth in
Jeremiah 32. At this
point, Jeremiah had been prophesying the destruction of Jerusalem for over
forty years. Although the fulfillment had been a long time coming, the destruction
was now imminent; the besieging army had already placed ramps against the city
walls. Jeremiah himself was in prison (v. 2).
For
Jeremiah, it was not difficult to believe that Jerusalem's destruction was
near. But God gave Jeremiah something to believe that was a little more
challenging. God told Jeremiah that a cousin would come and ask him to buy a
piece of land; Jeremiah was to proceed with the purchase (v. 7). The command
seemed ludicrous. Why would God speak of owning property when He was actually
in the process of delivering that property to enemies? Why should Jeremiah
purchase land that was about to be snatched away? God was bringing about the
very opposite of what His instruction to Jeremiah seemed to indicate. Jeremiah
could purchase the land, but there was no way he was going to be able to actually
possess it.
Jeremiah
obeyed God. He purchased the land. He went through the whole process of paying
money, signing the deed, calling witnesses, and storing the documents (vs.
9-14). Then he brought his doubts to God. "Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast
made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and
there is nothing too hard for thee" (v. 17). He starts with that premise
and reviews truth about God's character and past work (vs. 18-24), and then he
reaches his question: "And thou hast said unto me, O Lord GOD, Buy thee
the field for money, and take witnesses; for [although] the city is given into
the hands of the Chaldeans" (v. 25).
Jeremiah
knew what God was like. Jeremiah did what God asked. But Jeremiah was confused.
In essence, he was saying, "God, I've done what You asked me to do because
I know who You are, but I don't understand."
God
heard Jeremiah's question, and He gave Jeremiah an answer in three parts.
First, He repeated the truth that Jeremiah had stated in v. 17. God reaffirmed,
"Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard
for me?" (v. 27). God reinforced what Jeremiah was already trying to
believe. This answer requires faith. In the midst of not understanding, it is
acceptance that God can do anything He says, even if we don't see how.
Second,
God confirmed this truth to Jeremiah by giving him some reminders. God had kept
His word in the past. He had told Jeremiah that his cousin would come with the
offer of land, and he had. God was keeping His word in the present. He had said
that the city would be destroyed, and it was happening before Jeremiah’s eyes.
God would just as faithfully keep His word in the future, and Jeremiah (and
Israelites who outlived him) would indeed own the land. God argues from His
faithfulness: "Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this
people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them"
(v. 42). God will continue keeping His Word, whether we understand how or not.
He has proven Himself over and over again.
Third,
God gave Jeremiah the explanation. He declared that He would restore the land
to Israel (v. 44). There would be a temporary time when Israel was exiled and
when others would own the land, but it was only temporary. So Jeremiah
understood. He was correct that he would not go and take possession of that
land immediately, but he now understood that his land ownership was in essence a
prophecy regarding God's intention to restore Israel's land in the future.
God put
an "impossible" situation of land ownership in front of Jeremiah, but
it wasn't actually impossible. Our "impossible" situations aren't
impossible either. No matter how difficult a situation looks, God’s Word can be
trusted. His character and past dealings have proven His faithfulness. We have
the first two reassurances that God gave to Jeremiah - His declared Word and
His proven faithfulness. We may not always see the third - the explanation -
but that doesn't mean God isn't right. It doesn't stop God from being in
complete control nor from accomplishing everything that is in His plan.
Nothing
is too difficult for God. He is powerful enough to fulfill all that He is bold
enough to declare. Even if His current actions seem to be in direct conflict
with His promises, He is doing everything that He said, and He will accomplish
it all.
May God give you faith to wait on Him this week and
confidence to trust His character and His plan.
Love in Christ,
Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com
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