Sunday 27th September
Read Jeremiah 10:23-25
“Lord, I know that people’s lives are not their own;
it is not for them to direct their steps.
24 Discipline me, Lord, but only in due measure –
not in your anger,
or you will reduce me to nothing.
25 Pour out your wrath on the nations
that do not acknowledge you,
on the peoples who do not call on your name.
For they have devoured Jacob;
they have devoured him completely
and destroyed his homeland.” (NIVUK)
Every so often Jeremiah peaks out from the oracles of the Lord. Here we read his prayer as he reflects on the fate of the people, and his own fate. He knows, and accepts, that God is sovereign and is right and just to punish people for their sins. He knows and identifies with the people and shares their fate. He also knows that such punishment is brutal and hard. He prays that God is restrained and merciful or he will not stand up under the trial.
There is no reason to think that things have changed for us. “God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.” (Hebrews 12:10b-12) (NIVUK)
