When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place where the tide will turn. —Harriet Beecher Stowe
When I was a kid, physical education was not my favorite subject. When my teacher would perch me on the chin-up bar, my arms would straighten and I would drop to the ground. Holding on for the one-minute goal was simply not possible.
Because he had set his life in faithful ministry to the Word of the Lord, Jeremiah obeyed when God spoke—even when the goal seemed to be impossible. Ministering to an apostate nation (Lamentations 3:14), this man of great faith knew what it meant to have an intimate relationship with Almighty God. What better position in life than to be God’s spokesperson to a nation? As a type or reflection of Christ, however, the very people into which he poured his life ended up rejecting him. Though God was his all, all of life felt bitter (Lamentations 3:17-20).
In good times, most of us have little difficulty recognizing God’s faithfulness. Jeremiah, however, chose to declare the greatness of God from a position of pain. Seeing himself in the light of God’s expansive mercy, he made a decision to hold fast, even when he felt like giving up.
The familiar words in Isaiah 40:31 remind us that our struggle becomes strength when we let God take control. The Hebrew word for wait literally means “to bind together.” When we wait on the Lord, we are not passively sitting by. Rather, we are bound with Him, moving as He moves, resting as He rests (Matthew 11:29-30).
Refusing to let go, we hold fast to Jesus (Revelation 2:25-26; 3:11).
More:
• Psalm 130:5-6
• Hebrews 6:18
• Hebrews 10:23
Next:
When have you mistaken waiting on the Lord for passivity? Why is our attitude during waiting times as significant as our actions? In what specific area is God challenging you not to let go as you hold on to Him?
LaurenJulia on November 6, 2010 at 12:09 pm
What amazing worship Jeremiah gives after such a period of pain. I re-read the passage from Lamentations, and all I could think was, “If I was in Jeremiah’s place, I would be extremely close to losing all hope in God.” Maybe Jeremiah even felt this way, but he clung to to the Rock to hold him up, and this is such a HUGE example to all of us as we go about our daily lives; when we complain about the little things that bother us. Because in comparison to a nation rejecting God in blatant sin, our problems are nothing.
We can handle anything that God gives us, but it’s the action of lifting up our prayers and our hands and surrendering each step. He created us, and we need to let Him lead us. Even through the troughs in the valleys.
Praise the Lord for His power, majesty, love, providence, grace. 🙂
hauntedhoney on November 11, 2010 at 10:24 pm
i like this one…
that gives me inspiration for a quit headed like me.
i dont gave patience on anything i do. thats why i always failed…but ever since i got know the virtue of waiting im starting to view life on a new perspective….
thanks for the lord…for everything.
regina franklin on November 14, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Dear hauntedhoney–May the Lord continue to pour out His love on you like abundant waterfalls! All those who carry the name of Christ do so in an earthenware vessel, and not one of us stands in perfection. It is only by His grace that we are saved and it is only through the Word and the working of the Holy Spirit that any of us can say we have been changed. How awesome to know He remains constant in His love for us! Thanking the Lord that this devotional encouraged you in your pursuit of the Lord who stands worthy above all else.