Jeremiah Chapter 30

A doctor walked up to his patient’s bed and told him.

“Mr. Smith, I have good news and bad news for you, which would you like to hear first.”

Mr. Smith replied, “Doc, just give me the good news. I don’t like to hear anything bad.”

“Well in that case, Mr. Smith, you can be discharged tomorrow.”

As the doctor turned and walked away, Mr. Smith could not contain his curiosity and quickly shouted out after the doctor, “Hey doc, what is the bad news?”

The doctor replied, “I am sorry, but you only have 3 months to live as there is nothing else, we can do.”

Do we not sometimes behave in like manner, just like the people in Israel during Jeremiah’s time, who wants to hear only the good stuff. Looking at the end of the false prophet Hananiah, who deceived the people with words of peace, as well as the people who heeded his words rather than the words of God. Are we not cognizant of the need to first hear out both the good and the bad, so that we are in a better position to gauge the situation we are in and to respond accordingly. 

God’s message for His people is balanced with words of peace and words of fear. 

Words of peace give hope to the people, an encouragement to continue to keep God’s words and to persevere despite the surmounting odds and adverse circumstances stacked up against them. Words of fear, on the other hand, serves as a constant reminder that we should keep in check our ways, our thoughts, and our words. That the afflictions from God, though meant as punishment, are meted out of love (Heb 12:6-7).

Afflictions are indeed hard to bear. One will be deeply troubled and distressed in suffering. The pain may be so intense that we might seriously contemplate to throw in the towel. While it is understandable, and perfectly human, to moan and groan in pain, we must never murmur and grumble against our Lord. Afflictions should not sour our relationship with our loving Father, nor cloud our understanding of His love, nor make us begrudge Him leading to a barrier separating us from Him (Rom 8:35-37). But just as God intended for His beloved, whatever befall us is to make us consider our ways (Haggai 1:5-7), that we walk the way of the righteous and grow into perfection.

Let us look intently at His words and rightfully see the heart and thoughts of our Lord, that we have a special place in His heart.

“Jacob shall return, have rest and be quiet. And no one shall make him afraid.”

“For I am with you and will save you”

“Though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you, but I will not make a complete end of you.”

“You shall be My people and I will be your God.”

May we truly see and not be blinded by pain nor pride nor iniquities, that days of refreshing and healing will be upon us, that we may indeed be His people as He is our God and Savior. 

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