You Cannot Lose With the Lord – July 1, 2023

You deceived me, LORD, and I was deceived; you overpowered me and prevailed. I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me. Whenever I speak, I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction. So the word of the LORD has brought me insult and reproach all day long. . . . But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten. . . . Sing to the LORD! Give praise to the LORD! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked.
Jeremiah 20:7,8,11,13

You Cannot Lose With the Lord

Jeremiah was given a very difficult task. God sent him to preach to the people of Judah—God’s chosen people. He was to warn them that if they did not repent of their sin, God was going to send the Babylonians to conquer them and take them captive. So this is what Jeremiah proclaimed.

As you might imagine, his message was not well-received. People do not like being told they are doing wrong. One of the leaders of Judah even had Jeremiah arrested and put in stocks. It was a difficult time for Jeremiah.

So he complained. He poured his heart out to the Lord, saying this was not right and this was not fair. Why should God’s enemies seem so successful while his servant suffers?

You know how Jeremiah felt, don’t you? You know how frustrating it can be to follow the Lord and receive ridicule in return. It can seem so unfair. And it can appear that you are on the losing side.

But you are not. Neither was Jeremiah. He had the almighty God on his side. What he prophesied came to pass. He was vindicated.

Remember this the next time you are ridiculed for your faith. Remember this the next time it seems you are on the losing side. You have the almighty God with you. He is like a mighty warrior. When you are on his side, you cannot lose.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, sometimes it seems so unfair when I follow you. You know how frustrated I am at times. When I begin to lose heart, send your Holy Spirit to strengthen me with the reminder that you are on my side and will ultimately give me the victory. Amen.