Our Words

Jeremiah 15...Jeremiah is basically pleading with God. All of the people around him, all of his 'friends' are not obeying God. In verse 6 God says to the people of Jerusalem "You have rejected and forsaken me". Jeremiah then pleads with God telling him that he in fact does follow him.

Verse 16: "When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies. 17 I never joined the people in their merry feasts. I sat alone because your hand was on me. I was filled with indignation at their sins.

Jeremiah then asks God why he still remains in pain, even though he obeys and follows Him.
18 Why then does my suffering continue? Why is my wound so incurable?
He then questions God: Your help seems as uncertain as a seasonal brook, like a spring that has gone dry.”

God replies: 19"Take back those words, and I'll take you back. Then you'll stand tall before me. Use words truly and well. Don't stoop to cheap whining."

Jeremiah obeys God, he tells God that he does what He asks, he follows Him, but why does he still have incurable pain? The Message bible actually says "chronic pain". THEN Jeremiah questions God. He says that he sees no healing in sight. The Message translation says "You're nothing, God, but a mirage" Immediately God commands Jeremiah to take back those words. To not question Him. God doesn't say, well you followed me when no one else did, you do obey me, I'll let those words of uncertainty just slide by. No, God says take back those words and I'll take you back. That shows how important our words are. How much one confession can change everything. When we remain faithful to God in our actions AND our words, then He will work mightifully in our lives.

I 'have' (and I use that term extremely loosely) chronic pain, I can understand that at times it feels like the weight of the world on your shoulders. Like the devil is just pushing you down, beating you. BUT when we remain faithful and steadfast in our faith, actions, lives, AND WORDS, here is what God does: (here's the good part...) :-)

Verse 20: I'll turn you into a steel wall, a thick steel wall, impregnable. They'll attack you but won't put a dent in you because I'm at your side, defending and delivering."

I, the Lord, have spoken!

The story ends with "I, the Lord, have spoken!" I mean really, is there even a reason to ever question what He said He would do?