the lament of faith

Good morning all,
Today's reading from Jeremiah gives us insight into the difficulty of Jeremiah's calling. Jeremiah accuses the Lord of enticing him into this ministry. Shockingly, the terms he use for this accusation can be interpreted as sexual seduction or even assault. Jeremiah feels taken advantage of in the low moments of his ministry. He also feels like his calling is unavoidable: when he tries to hold in the word of God he feels physical pain that he can't bear, so he has to let the word out.

In the midst of these accusations against God, Jeremiah also trusts in God to deliver him from his enemies. Jeremiah's faith is not a simplistic, unexamined faith. He isn't afraid to cry out to God in pain or anger. At the end of the day, Jeremiah's lament is part of his faith, part of his trust in God. Our passage even ends with praise for God's deliverance of the poor. God is with Jeremiah and with us in the darkest times. God isn't afraid of our pain; we can pour out our wounded hearts to God and trust that he will listen and hold us close.

God bless,
Sam

Jeremiah 20:7-13
7O Lord, you have enticed me, and I was enticed; you have overpowered me, and you have prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me. 8For whenever I speak, I must cry out, I must shout, “Violence and destruction!” For the word of the Lord has become for me a reproach and derision all day long.

9If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,” then within me there is something like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot. 10For I hear many whispering: “Terror is all around! Denounce him! Let us denounce him!” All my close friends are watching for me to stumble. “Perhaps he can be enticed, and we can prevail against him, and take our revenge on him.”

11But the Lord is with me like a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble, and they will not prevail. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten. 12O Lord of hosts, you test the righteous, you see the heart and the mind; let me see your retribution upon them, for to you I have committed my cause. 13Sing to the Lord; praise the Lord! For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hands of evildoers.