Let Me Tell You About A Man

     His name is Jeremiah and he was a prophet of God. He is one of the great men of the Bible. Jeremiah suffered much for the cause of righteousness. He preached a very unpopular message.  The people hated him so much that they put in a dungeon, and "...in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: So Jeremiah sunk in the mire." (Jeremiah 38:6) How can a man endure being despised, rejected, hated and persecuted? Notice four qualities found in the life of Jeremiah which made it possible for him to endure these adverse circumstances. His name is Jeremiah and he was a great man of God.

Let me tell you about a man. His name is Jeremiah. He was a very sensitive man. He was a gentle man. He stood like a solid rock outwardly but inwardly his heart was breaking for God's people. God's word was burning within him. (Jeremiah 20:8-9) He became the victor not the victim of these circumstances!

          Let me tell you about a man. His name is Jeremiah. He was a man of sympathy. His heart was heavy and his eyes filled with tears as he preached the message of doom for his beloved people and his land. (Jeremiah 4:19) He repeatedly displayed his sympathy by praying for his people. (Jeremiah 8:21-22) Being sympathetic to the hard times of others helps us in our hard times.

          Let me tell you about a man. His name is Jeremiah. He was a man of courage. He could face life with confidence that God was with him. (Jeremiah 1:17-19) He did not give in even when his life was threatened. He stood courageously with God.

          Let me tell you about a man. His name is Jeremiah. He had overwhelming and unshakable faith and conviction in God. He had been called of God and spoke God's word. (Jeremiah 1:4-5) His message was a message of doom but he was also a man of hope. When Jerusalem was besieged, Jeremiah demonstrated great faith in God by buying a field. (Jeremiah 32) He could see beyond the immediate hardships to the ultimate return and restoration of Israel. (Jeremiah 16:14; Jeremiah 32:37) We also must look beyond troubles with faith and conviction in the God of heaven.

          May God help us to the end that we can have more, (1) sensitivity, (2) sympathy, (3) courage, and (4) faith and conviction. To become a Christian you must hear the gospel, (Romans 10:17), believe in Christ (John 8:24), repent of sins (2 Peter 3:9), confess Christ as Lord (Matthew 16:16), and be baptized to put on Christ. (Galatians 3:26-27) After baptism live for God with the courage of Jeremiah.

By Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, P.O. Box 551

Greenville, Alabama 36037 USA