I TRUST YOU, GOD, BUT WHY?

Tonight (Wednesday, 7/10, 7:00 pm), gather with your Calvary Chapel family in the Holy Grounds Cafe or on our website (www.calvaryinv.com), Facebook, and YouTube (Calvary Inverness) as we continue in the book of Jeremiah (11-15).

God had called Jeremiah at a young age to take on a daunting task. King Josiah was on the throne. He had recently led Judah through the most significant reformation of their history, culminating in celebrating Passover that hadn’t been seen since their Exodus from Egypt. The economy was booming, and the Temple was packed with worshippers.

But, notwithstanding, Jeremiah was told to stand at the entrance of the Temple and proclaim God’s judgment if they did not repent but continued in their pretense of love and devotion for Him.

Even though everything looked good on the outside, inwardly, the hearts of God’s people were evil and corrupt.

To make matters worse, not only was Jeremiah faced with the mockery and ridicule of the people, but he recently found out his family back in his hometown was conspiring to have him killed. On top of that, there was a war inside his heart.

Jeremiah was conflicted. Why would God judge His people when other nations' wickedness far outweighed Judah’s? And why was his life constantly in danger? He was trying to do the right thing and fulfill God’s assignment, but he was close to falling and not getting up from the pit of depression and despair.

In chapters eleven through fifteen, though Jeremiah complained to God about his circumstances by asking Him why he was allowed to suffer, he never received a direct answer. Despite that, he faithfully fulfilled what God had told him to do. He never quit. And that is why we can respect him and learn from his example of perseverance amid adversity.

God eventually answered Jeremiah’s questions, but not in the way he expected. The same can be said for us today. It is difficult for the believer to suffer, look around, and see how much the wicked prosper and enjoy the good things of this life. And like Jeremiah, though God has and can, He does not always answer us in the way we want.

Instead, through the Holy Spirit, who dwells in our hearts, we are pointed to the eternal truths of God, His character, and His promises recorded in His Word. And no matter what may come our way, we can be assured of this precious truth: “I will never leave or forsake you. So we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not fear” (Hebrews 13:5-6).

Please pray that this three-year journey through the Word of God will be received by open hearts that long to grow in the Grace and Knowledge of Jesus. Moreover, He would do deep and abiding work in and through us for a world in desperate need of a Savior.

In His Strong Love,

Pastor