Jeremiah 9:7 – “Therefore the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: “I will now purify them in the fires of affliction and test them.  The wickedness of my dear people has left me no choice.  What else can I do?”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, the prophet Jeremiah (the Weeping Prophet) stirred me once again.   He had a broken heart because he loved his people, and he felt God’s broken heart.

Jeremiah was chosen and purposed by God before he was conceived.  Think about that.  That destroys the modern idea that the baby is not a person in early pregnancy.  God does not call and purpose non-person blobs; He calls people. (Jeremiah 1:5).

In Jeremiah 1:9, we discover the power and purpose of God’s touch.  We focus on the anointing as a feeling, but it is an enablement that empowers and emboldens us to perform God’s purposes.  The anointing, like grace, is a divine enablement.  It gives power to purpose and is the pathway to the performance of God’s purpose and the fulfillment of our call.  Jeremiah was sent in the Spirit before he even existed in the flesh.  That is our destiny!

The people of Jeremiah’s day pushed God to the limit with their selfish sinfulness (Jeremiah 9:7).    God said, “The wickedness of My dear people has left Me no choice.”   How frightening to push God to the limit of His long-suffering patience and mercy.

In Jeremiah 10:23-24, the plea is for mercy, but it is a unique plea.   It was not a plea to not be judged or disciplined, but to be disciplined with limitations so as to leave hope of restoration.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:14-21, we have an extensive list of things that will enhance our Christian walk, not only enabling us to continue but also opening the door for others to come in.

• Admonish the undisciplined.
• Comfort the discouraged.
• Help (render assistance) to the weak.
• Exhibit patience toward everyone. 
• Resist revenge but replace it with compassion for others.
• Always rejoice (overflow with joy).
• Constantly pray.
• Manifest and vocalize Gratitude (Thanksgiving).
• Follow the Holy Spirit. 
• Embrace the Prophetic. Persevere.
• Avoid evil practices. (Shun the very appearance of evil.)

Focusing on God, realizing God’s call and destiny for our lives, as well as the Promise and Hope of Eternity, transforms our grief into motivation for service.  Where is our hope?  It is God!  As we see God’s call, purpose, and eternal plan, our focus shifts from us to Him, and we are transformed and begin to live! Living is a witness to the lost.  Morbidity is an expression to the world that our God is no more capable than a human.

We were called and purposed even before we existed.  How can we not pursue His purposes with all our strength?