I started reading Jeremiah this morning at 4:45 on the roof top where I am currently staying in India. (Yes you read that right, how cool is this life?) I couldn’t sleep because jet lag is real, but it felt good to be awake so early. Maybe even jet lag had a greater purpose this morning. I don’t know why I felt like I needed to sit and read the book of Jeremiah, but Jesus knew–He had something to tell me. From the light of my phone, and the few stars in the sky, I read about the anger of the Lord while sitting in the dark. This book of the Bible follows a prophet named Jeremiah who got a command from God to warn the stubborn people of Judah about the dangers of their worship of other Gods and turning their backs on God. God had a right to be angry with Israel for turning their backs to Him. He was angry for their worship of prostitutes and idols. In fact, angry might even be too generous of a word. I would be lying if I said that the words used in this book didn’t scare me. It’s harsh, but rightly so. He’s angry. God isn’t holding back when he tells of what will happen to the people who ignore Him. He’s sending them armies. What a comforting thing to hear while sitting in the dark in a foreign country, where everything I know about culture has been flipped upside-down.
“They will consumer your harvest and your food.
They will consumer your sons and your daughters.
They will consume your flocks and your herds.
They will consume your vines and your fig tree.
With the sword they will destroy
your fortified cities in which you trust.” Jeremiah 5:17
Thats scary.
God uses Jeremiah to tell Israel about His anger and wrath (how fun to get to tell people about all the terrible things that are going to happen to them). He is appointed to do this work, even though he doesn’t want to be. God says to him, “I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet of nations.” (Jeremiah 1:4-5) While I do not consider myself a prophet by any means, I can’t help feeling a little like Jeremiah as I sit here in India. Like Jeremiah, I don’t feel qualified to tell this Indian culture about Jesus or preform miracles when the Holy Spirit transforms hearts. This feels like a very big and very important task. When the reality of sharing this truth is desperate and dangerous, I don’t want to mess it up. Maybe someone else has more eloquent words to share the Gospel. What if I mess up the one chance someone has to hear about Jesus? But in the midst of my doubts and fears, God says, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’, for you will go to everyone I sent you to and speak whatever I tell you. Do not be afraid of anyone, for I will be with you to rescue you.” Jeremiah 1:7-8. Jeremiah had a job to do for the Lord, and so do I. Just when I started to feel unqualified and scared to share Jesus with people who’s hearts turn angry when the name of Jesus is said, the Lord has promised to speak for me and to rescue me in times of trouble. For I know that my being here is on purpose, and that there is a serious urgency in the truth that needs to be spoken. The promises of the Lord remind me that it is not my job to change hearts, that is His job. All he requires from me is an obedient spirit, to say yes to Him when He wants to use me (much more reaffirming than armies coming our way, thank you Jesus for the clarification). I am resting in the promise that the Holy Spirit has been working in the people I will encounter. I am here to be the Holy Spirit’s voice when He needs to speak. To be there tangible love of God to those around me. To be the light in the dark place.
As I was reading these chapters on the roof, my squad began singing and the sun rose over India while we sung praises to our God who equips us to do His work. We sang with joy because the God of the universe loved us so much, that he willingly let His son die so that He could turn His back on our sin. He no longer needs to punish us for our unfaithfulness. He does not want to punish those who put other gods before Him, all He wants is for people to come to Him so He can love them. Even in the angry words in the book of Jeremiah, God remains steadfast in His loving and forgiving character.
“I will not look on you with anger, for I am unfailing in my love” Jeremiah 3:12
“How I long to make you my sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of all nations” Jeremiah 3:19
God wants to heal all of the unfaithfulness. He wants to heal my unfaithfulness when I stray away from Him, or disobey His commands for me. He wants to heal the unfaithfulness of the people in India who worship gods other than Him. He loves us so much that He sent me halfway around the world for divine appointments-where He will prove his steadfast love to me, and to the people I will encounter in India. I don’t know about you, but I think that is kind of amazing.
