Sharks in the Kiddie Pool…what?

“If you have run with footmen and they have tired you out, then how can you compete with horses? If you fall down in a land of peace, how will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?” Jeremiah 12:5 (NASB)

How do you run with the big dogs when the little pups nibbling at your heels frustrate you? How do you swim with the sharks in the ocean when you’re still in the kiddie pool with the shrimp? How do you call yourself an enlightened giant when you contend apologetic arguments with spiritual midgets? These could have been some of the questions asked of Jeremiah had he been a street preacher on the streets of Atlantic City these days. Pastor Colin Days of the Second Baptist Church of the same city challenged us to re-examine ourselves through the beginning of this the 12^th chapter of Jeremiah’s Biblical book.

When I got back to the text I saw those infamous questions that we all ask ourselves at one time or another. “Righteous are you, O LORD, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?” (Jeremiah 12:1 ESV) As Christians we really should be able to rest in God’s grace. After all if it was sufficient for the Apostle Paul it should be that much more encouraging to us but to be real about this when we see things around going well for the un-churched while we can’t even fill the gas tank we can stray into these kind of questions…or should I call them complaints?

I will confess to all that at times I get into this funk of watching a whole wide, wicked and deceitful world gleefully prosper while the numbers before the decimal point in my checking account get fewer and fewer. Even if I look for an encouraging word on the One-Eyed Zombie King (that’s television folks) I find alleged preachers testimony on how they turned a pair of shoes to a suit and then be blessed with a check for what appears enough to pay-off the national debt, or at least my share of it. What a load of that stuff (horse manure) that is strewed all over the landscape of Clippity-Clop Land (that’s Lancaster PA. folks). HMPH!!!

And it doesn’t have to limited to finances like I am alluding to. Remember there is a need to examine the whole of the text, especially YHVH’s response in verse 5. There three things here to point out. The first is failing to keep up with mere footmen…The Big Dogs!! Then there is failing in a land of peace…can you say Home, Sweet Home? And the final part, making it in the thicket of Jordan. If you cannot contend with the first two of these things how do you expect to crossover a river that is at a flood stage? For me there was 27 years of substance abuse and failure to achieve godly manhood.

Ya know when we are in the dark concerning how God divinely orders His creation we must keep our thoughts CAPTIVE to the obedience of Christ. We must keep on believing that He would not do the least bit of wrong to those who are His. When we find it hard to understand any of his dealings with us, or others, we must look to His truths as our first principles, and abide by them. His divine judgment will pull the wicked out of their pasture as sheep for the slaughter.  Our God knows how our hearts are toward him. We need to rest in that…so do I. Amen? –Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent Freedom Fighter blogger

Daily Bible Reading: Leviticus 25; Revelation 3

Quote of the day: “Our grief that there should be so much evil is often mixed with peevishness on account of the trials it occasions us. And in this our favoured day, and under our trifling difficulties, let us consider how we should behave, if called to sufferings like those of saints in former ages.”—Matthew Henry

Bible Memory: “Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word.” Psalm 119:73-74 ESV