Still Growing!

Human nature is an amazing entity. It would have to be since God created it. And, what was true of human conduct at its beginning is the same today. As I study and read the scriptures I have personally learned more about myself; my character, my views, opinions, my beliefs, my hopes and desires. I’m still growing and that’s a good thing. My grandchildren ask me, “How can you still be growing, if you’re old already, Nana?” I tell them, “I’m growing on the inside.” I have definitely learned and observed human conduct at its best from watching and listening to their conversations and trying to answer their questions.
Jeremiah wrote at the beginning of his book, ” The Lord gave me this message: ‘ I knew you before I formed you in your mothers womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.’ Jeremiah obviously overwhelmed replied, ” O Sovereign Lord, I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!”
But the Lord replied and told him, “Don’t say , ‘I’m too young’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!”

God saw Jeremiah for who he was and knew what he could and would do and used him for 40 years as His spokesperson to Judah. In reading this book, Jeremiah relayed the messages God told him to tell. He would passionately speak but nobody would listen. The human conduct at that time, in my view was just as it is today; self-absorption.”

Jeremiah was not popular by any means, he was faithful as God’s messenger. He was target for many attempts on his life; but it did not deter him from following through with his commitment. He wasn’t wealthy by any means in fact he was quite poor; but this did not stop him from telling the people what they didn’t want to hear.

He was so sorrowful for the condition of Judah. He wept openly and often for their failure to adhere to obedience; such that he was known as the “weeping prophet.”

Throughout his life, Jeremiah stood alone. He declared “messages of doom” and had to tell of the new covenant and he wept over the eventual outcome of his country. Consider it; in the eyes of the world then and today Jeremiah’s “human conduct” was not successful.

However, in the eyes of God, he was! Success as God measures depends on obedience and faithfulness aside of struggle and personal cost. God wants full commitment and he refuses to accept hollow and unfaithful worship.

Jeremiah endured much and his endurance is not a common quality in human nature. It wasn’t then and it isn’t now. It is so much easier to give it up and quit as opposed to “sticking to it” and finishing it to the end!  

In all honesty I can relate to that lack of endurance in my own life. However, aside from the frustrations and discouragements I have “endured” God has been faithful! Jeremiah’s success in life is an encouragement to mine.  

As Jeremiah did, I have to rely on God’s love to see it through the end. Jeremiah was exemplary to human nature! Think about what our surrounding world would be like if we exemplified human nature as he did! Wow!