The Painful Lesson 4 – Are You Weary?

All week we’ve been talking about the ins, outs, and whys of the unfaithful Bride’s punishment. Today we will gain some understanding about the why- the heart behind God’s decision.

Our text today is Jeremiah 12 and 13.

We will start at Jeremiah 12:7

“I will forsake my house,    abandon my inheritance;I will give the one I love    into the hands of her enemies.” NIV

We’ve all heard (or said) ‘this hurts me more than it hurts you’. A parent disciplines their child out of love. Here we see God lay out the details of Israel’s temporary demise. He wants for her to be dependent on Him, so He must strip her of all else. Anything she could turn to in His place. 

(Again, remember this is prophecy already fulfilled. He was speaking to Israel before their exile into Babylon. Please apply principles in your own life, putting yourself in the place of the Unfaithful Bride Israel.)

The land will be barren, parched, their livelihood is taken away and they will sow wheat, and reap thorns. They will wear themselves out and gain nothing. They will bear the shame of the harvest.

Finally right? But if that was us, would we be so eager for them to “get what was coming to them?” No way.

But we get that way. Are you worn out? Do you feel like you are spinning your wheels? Are you weary of trying? Maybe it’s time to get help.

Recently, my sisters and I were participating in an event that took place in a large field. It had rained a lot in the days leading up to the event, and the ground was soggy. We got our vehicle stuck in the mud. Very stuck. My sister was driving, and because she was new to driving she didn’t know how to get us out. We switched drivers, and got unstuck. (Yes, after quite a bit of effort!) A few minutes later, we got stuck again. This time we had some people push us as I rocked the car backwards and forwards.

I do have a point. How deep is your mud? Are you spinning your tires? Is it maybe time for a push? Or better yet, is it time to switch drivers in your life? Sisters, God wants to take the driver’s seat, and get us un-stuck, but not until we surrender the wheel. If we refuse to ask Him for help, all we’re going to get is deeper in the muck, dirty, tired, and worn out, and making no progress.

He’s waiting for your surrender.

In this scenario, (as well as ours?) God willfully let go. (Jeremiah 12:7-14) But look – He still kept an ear open for their cry. He lets the Bride move out, for instance, but He says “Here’s my number for when you’re sorry. When you have had enough.” More than that, He promised to come rescue them once they’d learned their lesson. (15-16) How kind, patient and understanding!

If you return to Me, I will restore you.       

Jeremiah 15:19 “This is what the Lord says: “If you repent, I will restore you…” NIV

Look again! He wants to restore us! When He restores, He fully restores. To the finest quality, to the most glorious state we would have. (13:18) He wants us to come down off our own thrones – he wants the impurities to be purged out. He wants us Holy. The only way for that to happen is by complete surrender.

Sometimes that purging is painful. Sometimes to create something good, a very painful process is involved. You moms out there – I know you can relate to the last part of 13:21 and to 22.

Jeremiah 13:21b “…Pangs of anguish will grip you,    like those of a woman in labor!” NLT

Birth pains. So worth it, but yes, very very painful.

This painful lesson. How long must we go through the painful lesson? (13:27)

How long is up to you.

How long will it take for you to surrender every last piece to Him? He’s waiting for His Bride to return. To be sorry for the adultery.

To love Him again.

How long?