Jeremiah 12:5

New International Version (NIV)

“If you have raced with men on foot

and they have worn you out,

how can you compete with horses?

If you stumble in safe country,

how will you manage in the thickets

by the Jordan?

For meditation

Let’s consider the prophet Jeremiah’s complaint:

• “You are always righteous,Lord, when I bring a case before you.
• Yet I would speak with you about your justice:
  • Why does the way of the wicked prosper?
  • Why do all the faithless live at ease?
    • You have plantedthem, and they have taken root;

they grow and bear fruit.

• You are always on their lips,

but far from their hearts” (Jer. 12:1-2).

Now, let’s consider his human proposal to God:

• “Drag them off like sheepto be butchered!
  Set them apart for the day of slaughter!
• How long will the land lie parched
  and the grass in every field be withered?
  • Because those who live in it are wicked,
    the animals and birds have perished.”

But before the weeping prophet made his appeal, listen to what he said about himself:

• Yet you know me,Lord;
  you see me and test my thoughts about you.

In plain language: “You know, Lord, that I am not like them. I don’t do any of those things.”

And now, let’s listen to God’s response to His servant:

• “If you have raced with men on foot
  and they have worn you out,
  how can you compete with horses?
• If you stumblein safe country,
  how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?”

1. Haven’t we all been there before? Have we not questioned God’s justice before?
2. Have we not ever worried about how the wicked have ‘everything’ they need in this world and shouted, maybe in our heart, “Lord, it is not fair”?
3. Have we not, at one time or the other, wished that God would kill some wicked people? Haven’t we ever prayed that God would rain fire and brimstone on some particular person(s) before?
4. Do we not feel like Jeremiah when we compare ourselves to others (3)? Isn’t it a good feeling to consider ourselves more spiritual and obedient to God than them?
5. Do you see how we can work ourselves to such weariness? Do you recognize how we unnecessarily stress ourselves? Can we listen to God’s answer to Jeremiah and learn from it (5)?

I pray we realize that looking around to see the faults of others, gives us a false sense of spirituality and superiority, which would eventually make us judgmental and stressed out. Our source of wisdom and peace is making Jesus our only standard and example in relating to the wickedness of this world.

So: May we hate the wickedness of our environment and stand against them in diligent prayers and exemplarily living; and may we not stress ourselves over them as if God has lost His authority and control, but recognize His eternal plan and be encouraged.

God is firmly in control of all wickedness; so don’t stress yourself over their carefree living.

PB