Faith in the day of Trouble

Jeremiah 16.

As we have seen before, God occasionally ordered the prophets to act out His message or use visuals for the purpose of gaining attention.  The punishment upon the nation was coming.  The LORD had Jeremiah withhold three natural and normal actions in support of what God was saying.

He was not to marry and have a family.  Why?  Because soon families would being killed by the invaders or die in the famine.  He was not to attend funerals.  Why?  Because soon there would be so many dead that no one would left to bury them.  He was not to attend parties.  Why?  Because soon there would be nothing to celebrate.

The people brought this on themselves.  They did not learn from the mistakes of their ancestors.  Instead, they rebelled against God's lordship of their lives even more.  "Every one of you follows his stubborn evil will, refusing to listen to me." (v.12)

Losing their land was to be temporary.  Just as their fathers always looked back to the Exodus out of Egypt as a benchmark of God restoring the Jews to the land, there would be a new benchmark.  A future generation will return from this Babylonian Captivity (north country, v.15).  Even more, there will come a day when a world-wide return will take place.  At that time, under the rule of Messiah, the nation will be taught, see firsthand the power of God, and know exactly who God is (v.21).  That is their future hope.

In the meantime, Jeremiah remained faithful.  So, what was he to do as his nation faced such certain doom?  What can we do when our personal world appears to be crumbling around us?  Note the three things about the LORD in verse 19 that the prophet held on to and that sustained him "in the day of trouble."
1. "My strength."
Like a personal security force of bodyguards, the God of heaven would take care of him.  He would keep going, not in his own power but God's.
2. "My fortress."
Like having a personal fortified area of defense where the enemy could not break through, God would keep him safe.
3. "My refuge."
Like a personal retreat, God was his place to run when he felt threatened.

Don't miss that each one begins with "my."  This was not just sound theology or good religious teaching.  This was his personal faith and commitment to the LORD.  That is what makes the difference.