Does Your Life Seem Like it is Sitting Still?

Jeremiah 32:1–15
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In the 32^nd chapter of Jeremiah’s prophecy we find that what got him thrown in jail was his insistence that Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, would conquer Jerusalem. Jerusalem’s king Zedekiah didn’t like that! While in prison, Jeremiah’s cousin, Hanameel offers the prophet the right to purchase land in Anathoth. How strange! If the prophet’s prediction came true (and it certainly did), then land titles issued under Hebrew law would be worthless. And if the prophecy failed, Jeremiah would stay in jail.

It seemed like Jeremiah’s life was on hold. We know in our heart that God never forgets about us and His desire is for us to keep moving closer to Him, but there are times in our life when it seems that it is on hold. So what are we to do:

1. Keep doing what God has told you to do (vv. 1-3). - Jeremiah did not stop doing what God had told him to do even when it was going to land him in prison. We may want to stay away from church, stop praying or reading our Bible.
2. Don’t force an easy solution (vv. 3-5). Zedekiah was giving Jeremiah an easy way out. Change your prophecy about me and you will get out of prison. It is easy to bail out of a marriage, for a teen to leave home or quit our job. God’s solutions usually take longer.
3. Trust God’s Word even when it may seem radical to others (vv. 6-9). Jeremiah was in prison and the Babylonians were coming. The only real reason to buy the land was because he trusted God.
4. Remember that exercising faith does not always bring immediate results (vv. 10-15). Jeremiah knew that this act was something for future generations. Praying is like this. Many of my mother’s prayers were not answered until after she was with the Lord.

Application

And like Jeremiah, there are times in my life when I have to recognize that instead of focusing on doubts, fears, or excuses, I too am called to live a life of faith that with God all things are possible.