The thicket of the Jordan River is a dense tangle of brambles, underbrush, and roots that are impossible to navigate comfortably. It is chaotic, without clear paths, and even dangerous in places. It depicts the likeness of the world we live in today.
How are you navigating the thicket of life? Jeremiah had a hard life, but he loved God and worked hard to tell the people truths, differences of right and wrong, spoke the messages God gave to encourage, warn, and guide…. Humanity failed to listen and either crept away from or disobeyed God time after time.
Jeremiah got tired, weary, and discouraged. Sound familiar in our own daily lives? While evil seems to prevail at every turn, Christians are either caving to sin or ignoring the wrong. Jeremiah worked hard to stay obedient to God in love and service. His disappointment gave way to asking why the unfairness of it all. He needed some serious relief. The questioning was beginning to hold Jeremiah captive in grief, ego, confusion, and dark thoughts,
Jeremiah 12 is the account of his complaint to God. Jeremiah 12:5 begins God’s answer.
God did not coddle Jeremiah. God’s answer was clear and straightforward. Life is hard, maybe even more so as we each strive to be obedient to God. God explained to Jeremiah that if he’s tired and worn out running with the people in a safe place, how will he ever be able to remain calm, focused, and God centered amid the thunder of evil to come. The thicket of evil grows day by day.
Galloping horses trample, but we are to stand tall and firm in Christ as the world falls apart around us. God is serious as He maps out the consequences unbelief and disobedience. But as believers, we hold on to the fact that He sends relief, and His justice comes in His timing.
Stay committed to God’s Word, Work, and in Obedience. It is no easy task. Make the effort. Pray the scriptures. Stand firm in faith in Holy Truth.