As a result of being God's spokesman, the prophet Jeremiah encountered opposition and persecution. In Chapter 20, we read that he was beaten and put in stocks. Proclaiming God's Word had brought him ridicule and insult and reproach, and he complained to The Lord. 

There are several instances throughout this book of the Bible where Jeremiah complains about his circumstances and questions God's justice. This past weekend, I heard one well-known pastor/educator refer to Jeremiah as "a crybaby."  I am not sure if that is a fair assessment of the prophet.  Perhaps if we had been beaten and put in stocks (and later thrown inside an empty well and left to die - Chapter 38) we would have complained and questioned God as well. 

It is interesting to think about how far we would go and what we would endure for the sake of the Gospel. Most of us, at least in America, have never really had to suffer for the cause of Christ, but that day could come. In fact, it seems that taking a stand for The Lord is becoming increasingly challenging as we see our country move away from God rather than toward Him. 

Despite his dissatisfaction with how he was being treated by others, to Jeremiah's credit he came to the realization that, as a believer and follower of God, even if he made up his mind to never speak of God's Name or His Word again, it would still remain like a fire in his heart and bones.  If he tried to hold his passion for The Lord inside himself, he could not and he would grow weary trying to. 

If we are Christ followers, the same should hold true for us. When we think of all The Lord has done for us and the immeasurable ways He has blessed us, even though we may experience trials and troubles along the way, how can we not proclaim Him?  In fact, it's often in the midst of hardship and tribulations that testimony of the steadfast goodness and faithfulness of God, despite our unfavorable circumstances, can have the greatest impact on those around us. 

As we witness to others and testify of Jesus, we should not fear. As Jeremiah says in verse 11, "...the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail."  

Within this single chapter, Jeremiah both curses the day he was born and gives praise to The Lord. I am sure there are times we all take on an "oh, woe is me" attitude, but in the end I pray we may come to a praiseworthy conclusion about our circumstances and ultimately realize God's great love for us, even when times are hard. 

Verse 12 tells us that God examines the righteous and probes the heart and mind. As God examines and probes us, I pray He can see in us what Jeremiah said about himself - "...to You I have committed my cause."