Gentle Lamentation
Our text from Jeremiah today is a part of a larger periciope¹ (chapters 11 and 12) by which he recounts the task God gave him. Interspersed in the larger passage is an account of the dialogue he had with God. Our text for today is a little bit of both. Like our text last week from Isaiah, Jeremiah is lamenting his task and that, because of it, his life is being threatened. Unlike Isaiah his lament is gentle. He seems to accept his fate while Isaiah fought against it. Two different ways in which God’s people react to tragedy and trouble in their lives. The common thread that runs through these texts is that they both talk to God even complaining and getting angry with God. Which brings me to the question of the day. Do you talk with God? Or are you the silent type?
Neither Jeremiah nor Isaiah were the silent type. Most all the characters in the Bible were not. They talked with God, sometimes argued with God, and often complained to God. Abraham even bargained with God. When it comes to having a conversation with God we often get the wrong idea of what it is for. Many use it as a wish list just like the Christmas list that they wrote as children. Some make it a demand note. That is not what Jeremiah’s or Isaiah’s conversations were about. Yes, they did ask for an easier task or to be allowed to quit. Instead of granting them what they wanted God told them to continue on with their thankless task. Even Jesus asked that his task be changed. In the end he did God’s will.
Having a conversation with God does not mean getting your own way. It is how you learn what God is calling you to do. It does not mean asking for the things you want. Listen to James, “You do not have because you do not ask. You do not receive because you ask wrongly in order to spend on your pleasures.” We are not called to build up great riches and beautiful things for ourselves. We are called to show the great riches and beauty of God by our lives. We are to show the great gifts God has given us by how we respond to the everyday things of life – in tragedy and in joy. That is why it is so important to carry on a daily conversation with God. We need to be reminded of our task and reassured of God’s presence in our lives no matter what happens to us. Have that conversation with God today. Ask what God is calling you to do and for the gifts needed to fulfill the task.
¹Periciope Greek for a part of a Biblical book. From peri meaning “around” and cope meaning “to cut” thus to “cut around” or to “cut out” a passage from a larger work.