Jeremiah 11:18-20
18
The Lord made it known to me and I knew;
then you showed me their deeds.
19
But I was like a gentle lamb
led to the slaughter.
I did not know it was against me
they devised schemes, saying,
“Let us destroy the tree with its fruit,
let us cut him off from the land of the living,
that his name be remembered no more.”
20
But, O Lord of hosts, who judges righteously,
who tests the heart and the mind,
let me see your vengeance upon them,
for to you have I committed my cause.
The prophet Jeremiah speak of being the target of an organized plot. Such a situation is frightening. It is hard enough to fight off one enemy. But, when others group up against you, the situation becomes humanly impossible.
Remember Matthew 19:26: “But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” As formidable, organized, and wicked as the enemy seems, God is greater.
Therefore, the faithful prophet Jeremiah confessed His faith in the Lord. God had called the prophet to preach repentance to an unrepentant nation. Therefore, the prophet could do nothing other than preach as God directed and commit his cause to God. He confessed:
“But, O Lord of hosts, who judges righteously,
who tests the heart and the mind,
let me see your vengeance upon them,
for to you have I committed my cause.”
In the faithful ministry of the prophets we see fulfillment in Jesus. Jesus called the world to confess their sins. He called the world to repent. But, the plotting of sinful men resulted in Jesus’ death by crucifixion. It would see that his cause was lost. But, Jesus Himself taught after His death and resurrection were clearly taught in God’s Word from the beginning.
Jesus is God’s salvation against all the plots and schemes of the evil one. Through faith in Jesus Satan’s accusations are overcome. Through His death, your sins are forgiven. Through His resurrection your eternal life is secure.
Therefore, let us follow the example of the faithful who have gone before us, who, like faithful Jeremiah, didn’t give up when facing opposition in their calling. Instead, God calls us to remember His Word, live by faith in Jesus, and commit the outcome of our lives to the Lord. He who raised Jesus from the dead is faithful.
Let us pray,
There are times in this age when I feel oppressed by the evil around me in the world. Help me to look to you, remember Jesus’ victory, and live in faith each moment, for to you I have committed by cause. In Jesus name, Amen
The Collect for the 17th Sunday after Pentecost
O God, whose strength is made perfect in weakness, grant us humility and childlike faith that we may please you in both will and deed; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.