Jeremiah thought his situation was hopeless. Israel was losing everything. The people were going into captivity. Their homes and lands would either be destroyed or taken over by someone else. Everything would be lost.
Amid the gloom and despair, God gave instructions to Jeremiah (Jeremiah 32, 33). Jeremiah was told to buy a field in a public ceremony and put away the deed for safe keeping to emphasize his prediction the captives would return and the land would again be cultivated. This prophet of disaster was not very popular — with his own people or those in rule. And God wanted him to take this action.
Jeremiah, at first, was not convinced. In his conversation with God, he extolled God’s greatness, but the doubt was there and his question seemed to be “What’s the use?” God repeated his conversation concerning His greatness back to Jeremiah, saying, “There is nothing too hard for me.”
The problem was immediate; the solution would come later — much later. But between the problem and the answer, there was a meantime.
This can be a time of believing the One who is in control. Confidence and assurance in God will not be wasted. It is the matter of bridging the gap between the past blessings and future hope — when walking is done by faith and life must go on. Remember God is the source of all power and life. With Him, there is no difficulty that cannot be overcome. He is a God of mercy and of justice.
Jeremiah, who was imprisoned for his prophecy, bought a piece of ground, a field which was occupied by the Babylonian army. This signified that although Jerusalem was besieged and the country laid waste, the time would come when houses and fields and vineyards would once again be possessed by the rightful owners.
There is a release in trusting and we need to experience this release. We must go about doing the ordinary things in the present while leaving the future promises and the extraordinary to God.
The key to faith is knowing who God is. How wonderful to read His words to Jeremiah, “I am the Lord, the God of all flesh.”
Jeremy Taylor wrote: “It is impossible for that man to despair who remembers that his Helper is omnipotent.”
Never Moved a Mountain
(Prayer by unknown author)
Lord, I have never moved a mountain and I guess I never will. All the faith that I could muster would not move a small ant hill. Yet, I will tell you, Lord, I am grateful for the joy of knowing Thee, and for all the mountain moving, down through life you have done for me.
When I needed some help You lifted me from the depths of great despair. And when burdens, pain and sorrow have been more than I can bear, you have always been my courage to restore life’s troubled sea, and to move these little mountains that have looked so big to me.
Many times when I have had problems and when bills I have had to pay, and the worries and the heartaches just kept mounting every day, Lord, I do not know how you did it. I cannot explain the wheres or whys. All I know is that I have seen these mountains turn to blessings in disguise.
No, I have never moved a mountain, for my faith is far too small. Yet, I thank you, Lord of Heaven, you have always heard my call. And as long as there are mountains in my life, I will have no fear, for the mountain-moving Jesus is my strength and always near.
—Bible Illustrator
