«If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses?» (Jeremiah 12:5, NIV).
WHEN EVERYTHING GOES WRONG and when far from providing answers, life only leaves us with more questions, what do we do? When we look around and see that the wicked prosper while we go from bad to worse, what do we tell God?
The prophet Jeremiah was in a similar situation. While good people were suffering, the wicked were prospering. Additionally, the prophet realized that his best efforts to stop Judah in its spiritual downfall were not working. To make matters worse, even his father’s house would rise against him (see Jeremiah 12:6).
Deep down inside, Jeremiah knew that God is just, but how could he reconcile that justice with the reality his eyes beheld on a daily basis? So he complained to God: «How long will the land lie parched and the grass in every field be withered? Because those who live in it are wicked, the animals and birds have perished. Moreover, the people are saying, ‘He will not see what happens to us’ » (Jeremiah 12:4, NIV).
Does that sound familiar? «Lord, how long will I have to suffer from this illness?» «How long will I have to endure my spouse’s mistreatment?» «How long will I keep on facing then giving in to this temptation?» We understand Jeremiah perfectly well because we too have been there; without answers; and deep down inside, we almost blame God because He doesn’t seem to be interested in us and our lives.
What was the Lord’s reply to Jeremiah? «If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses?» What an interesting way to reprimand the prophet! In other words, «Jeremiah, the battle is just getting started, and you already want to ‘throw in the towel?’ Then what can I expect from you when things get worse? Because it will get worse!»
The Scriptures don’t record an immediate answer from Jeremiah to the challenge posed by the Lord, but we know the prophet remained at his post of duty, in spite of all the hardships. His ministry spanned «the last 40 years of Judah’s existence as a kingdom.» During that time, he saw five kings occupy the throne, and to each of them, Jeremiah «bore messages of reform and revival. » In other words, he decided to compete with horses!
What a timely message! If we cannot face the challenges life presents to us today, how will we be able to overcome tomorrow’s great hardships? And if we can’t deal with small temptations, how will we overcome big ones?
Like Jeremiah, lets decide to compete with horses! And while we face our trials, let’s remember that He who is with us is more powerful than those who are against us.
Dear heavenly Father, today I chose to compete with horses. Please help me to believe that, the greater the trial I have to face, the greater will also be the power You will give me to overcome, not only today, but every day until the end of time.
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Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2022
“GREAT IS OUR GOD!”
From: FERNANDO ZABALA
Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate
