As Pastor Jeff Manion taught us in part three of the sermon series, Jeremiah experiences a “terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.” Although faithful in his task, as he prophesies against Jerusalem and symbolically foretells its complete destruction by smashing a pot, he’s eventually beaten and placed in stocks for the night. In his obedience, nothing’s working out. He reaches a breaking point.
It’s tempting to think if we do the right thing, everything will work out. Sometimes good, faithful people have terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days—spiritually, emotionally, relationally, and financially. The mess God calls us into only gets worse and may never get better. Jeremiah could have testified to the difficulty of believing in the truth “that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8.28). Being beaten and spending the night being ridiculed while in stocks will probably do that to you.
There’s a good chance you’ve recently been “beaten” or feel like you’ve spent time “in the stocks.” In spite of your faithfulness, as you’ve obediently followed where God appears to be leading, you’ve experienced those days (maybe many of them!). Today, if this is you, remember God’s amazing promise: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13.5) as you pray for the strength of his Spirit.
