The hour is late and the morning will come early, even so I want at least a hello on the page for you this (Monday) morning.  And in the interest of time how about a word from my Sunday School study notes for this morning?

Jeremiah.
The Weeping Prophet.
The Prophet who so loved the people of Israel. So loved them he wept over their sins and pending captivity. And in their unrepentant state, they hated Jeremiah; even plotted to kill him for the message he preached.

And we found in chapter 15 that Jeremiah had some serious struggle with their hatred. And I submit to you as I did to my class that it is hard to be hated. When a servant of God comes to a season of life when they perceive they are hated by their peers at least two deep, dark struggles ensue.

One.
A war begins in the soul to hold back from hating the one hating you. And I dare say apart from the inner helping of the HOLY SPIRIT, it can’t be done. It is all too natural to hate back when we are faced with the hatred of others. Only the HOLY SPIRIT can empower us to love those who do not love us. And when we ask He will – perhaps it will take constant communication and practice but in Him we can love those who hate us. And it is in our best interest to do so.

Two.
A war begins in the soul to resist believing what is being said about us. The childhood refrain we heard spoken on the school playground: ‘sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me’ is a lie.
Words hurt.
Words cut deep.
Words leave wounds so deep and ghastly if left to fester into a ‘spiritual cancer’, it may take years of HOLY GHOST Therapy to fully heal. We would do well to seek the healing balm of JESUS immediately. To believe what ABBA has said about us in His Word rather than the words of man.

It is crucial for the Servant of God to lose neither of these battles. It is sad, it is evil, but the Servant who succumbs sooner or later and probably sooner will find himself/herself in rebellion against the GOD they had served.

Listen to Jeremiah. Hear his wail. Hear his accusation and charge against Yahweh. Moreover, let us take heed. If Jeremiah can allow a wound to so fester that he would accuse GOD of evil – we too are capable of the same.

Jeremiah 15: Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
15 You know, LORD; remember me and take note of me. Avenge me against my persecutors. In Your patience, don’t take me away. Know that I suffer disgrace for Your honor.
16 Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became a delight to me and the joy of my heart, for I am called by Your name, LORD God of Hosts.
17 I never sat with the band of revelers, and I did not celebrate [with them]. Because Your hand was [on me], I sat alone, for You filled me with indignation.
18 Why has my pain become unending, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? You truly have become like a mirage to me—water that is not reliable.
via Jeremiah 15:15-21 – Passage Lookup – Holman Christian Standard Bible – BibleGateway.com.

And now that we have heard Jeremiah, let us hear ABBA.

Jeremiah 15: Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Jeremiah Told to Repent
19 Therefore, this is what the LORD says: If you return, I will restore you; you will stand in My presence. And if you speak noble [words], rather than worthless ones, you will be My spokesman. It is they who must return to you; you must not return to them.
20 Then I will make you a fortified wall of bronze to this people. They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you. [This is] the LORD’s declaration.
21 I will deliver you from the power of evil people and redeem you from the control of the ruthless.
via Jeremiah 15:15-21 – Passage Lookup – Holman Christian Standard Bible – BibleGateway.com.

Yes! Accusing God of evil is evil. And if we love Him we will continually strive to mature to the place that we do that less and less.

BUT not all questioning of God is evil. Not all questionings to God makes us a rebel. And it is far, far better for us to take our honest questions to God before they turn into accusations.

The safest thing we can do for ourselves in this life journey is to be honest with God. Hold nothing back, talk it out with Him. Lay all our ugly truths before Him and let Him heal us before we start accusing Him and charging Him with evil.  Don’t let those questions fester – ask, confess. Yes, even complain. But with the complaint, be willing to see and receive His response. Especially if His response is WAIT and TRUST ME.

And after our Sunday School hour, the Preacher (Billy Graham from First Baptist of North Mobile) said in closing when suffering comes we pray, ‘Father, I don’t like this; but I trust You.’

And when we do, we just might hear Him say, ‘I don’t like it either, and no it’s not right or fair, for now — but TRUST ME’.

Amen, Kathie

Click HERE for PFT.   My love to you all.