“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5, ESV) Jeremiah, the Old Testament prophet with the longest book, won no popularity awards during his forty years of ministry. Few, if any, of the Lord’s prophets did. They were the voices crying out for righteousness and repentance while the people chose to turn another way. Taking a stand for righteousness isn’t always the popular thing to do, even today. For some reason, Jeremiah has always been one of my favorites of Old Testament characters. Perhaps it’s because we know more of his personal story than some of the other prophets. He came from a priestly family and was still quite young, possibly around twenty, when God called him. Jeremiah recognized his youth and lack of experience, but God promised to be with him. But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the…

“Your road led through the sea, your pathway through the mighty waters—a pathway no one knew was there!” Psalms 77:19 When the Israelites were finally freed from their slavery, they set out on a perilous journey to reach the land that God had promised them. Their futures were uncertain, and their destination was unknown. When they finally reached the Red Sea, all hope seemed to be lost. They had nowhere to go. It appeared to be the end of the line. Pharaoh and his army were closing in, and it probably felt like it was all for nothing. This would be the place they would die. To the human eye, there was no path of escape, but His ways are higher than ours, and His thoughts are above ours. He saw a path where they didn’t.  God can always make a way where there seems to be no way. I’ve been reminding myself of this truth so often these last few weeks. that while I am limited in my humanity, God is not. He is still all-powerful, He is still victorious and He is still in absolute control. Heaven is not in chaos right now. God isn’t running low on…

“You sent your good Spirit to instruct them, and you did not stop giving them manna from heaven or water for their thirst. For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did not swell!” Nehemiah 9:20-21 NLT Because of the Israelite’s disobedience and stubbornness, they were sent to the wilderness, where they ultimately wandered for 40 years. While this was the consequence of their actions and choices, God never abandoned them. We can read how they lacked nothing during these years, and not even their clothing wore out.  God still showed mercy, led, instructed, and sustained them during their season of wandering. This was not an ideal situation for all involved I’m sure, but God was with them every step of the way. I have found myself in many uncertain seasons, periods that just don’t seem to make any sense. I have wandered and climbed the same mountains time and time again. I have strayed from the best path for my life too many times, but God still always picks me up and sets my course straight again. I have struggled with questions and uncertainty, but…

“So David and his men went on the road, while Shimei went along on the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went and threw stones at him and flung dust. And the king, and all the people who were with him, arrived weary at the Jordan. And there he refreshed himself.” 2 Samuel 16:13-14 ESV When I think of throwing rocks, young children typically come to mind. When I was a young child, a neighborhood boy threw a large rock and struck me in the back. The attack was unprovoked, but I can say with certainty that it did not feel good, and left a welt across my back. Shimei appears to be struggling to accept David as king and to let go of the past.  So, while David is passing through his town, Shimei begins cursing David and throwing rocks. The cursing continues and David allows it, stating that the Lord may look on the wrong done to him and repay him with good. I’m not quite sure what my response would be to someone calling me out and throwing rocks at me, but I hope and pray it would be similar to David’s. He had incredible faith that…