[:en]SCRIPTURE: JEREMIAH 20
“But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior;so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fall and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten” (Jeremiah 20:11)
“O Lord Almighty, you who examine the righteous and probe the heart and mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you I have committed my cause” (Jeremiah 20:12)
“Sing to the Lord! Give praise to the Lord! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked”: (Jeremiah 20:13)
JEREMIAH AND PASHHUR (vs. 1-6)
There was a priest named Pashhur, son of Immer, who was the chief officer in the temple of the Lord. When he heard Jeremiah prophesying destruction of Israel, he had him beaten and put in the stocks at the Upper Gate of Benjamin at the Lord’s temple.
When he was released the next day, Jeremiah said to Pashhur: “The Lord’s name for you is not Passhur but Magor-Missabib. You will be a terror to yourself and to all your friends. You will see with your own eyes the people fall by the sword of their enemies. Judah will be conquered by Babylon. All their wealth, products, valuables and treasures of the kings of Judah will be taken away as plunder and carry off to Babylon. You will go into exile and die there.
JEREMIAH’S COMPLAINT:
- I am ridiculed and mocked by everyone (v. 7)
- Your Word of violence and destruction had brought me insult and reproach (v. 8)
- I cannot hold your word in my heart because it is like a fire shut up in my bones (v. 9)
- Many wanted to report me and all my friends wanted to take revenge on me (v. 10)
JEREMIAH’S CONFIDENCE IN GOD:
- The Lord is with me like a mighty warrior so my prosecutors will stumble, fdal and be disgrace (v. 1)
- The Lord Almighty examines the righteous and prove his heart and mind. I have committed my cause to see your vengeance upon them (v. 12)
- I will sing to the Lord and give praise to the Lord for he rescues me from the hands of the wicked (v. 13)
There are times when the hypocrites are the ones opposing the religious people. Jeremiah was opposed by Pashhur. He weny from joy to despair, from bold proclamation to discouragement. But Jeremiah was broken before God He told God how he felt and let God do the rest.
When you are discouraged and in despair, cast your burdens upon Him and let Him take care of the people who create problems for you.[:]