Jeremiah 14-17

God lists the sins of Jerusalem.  The people worship false idols; they conduct business on the Sabbath; they ignore justice; they pretend to love God.  With all of this, they plead for God to save them and to restore them.  Their words of repentance are fleeting and without intent.  They say the right words hoping to manipulate God to act on their behalf.  God’s response is profoundly sad and surprising.  God tells Jeremiah to stop praying for these people.  His mind is made up.  He will punish and no amount of intercession from Jeremiah will stop his actions.  Furthermore, God tells Jeremiah not to marry because the times are going to get so difficult he does not want him to mourn for one who dies.  How difficult it would have been for Jeremiah.  In 15:10, Jeremiah confesses that he feels very alone.  There is no one to comfort him and to provide support for him.  But God gently disagrees.  Read 15:11.  God promises to be the comfort and support he needs.  The same promise is given to us.  God promises in Hebrews 13 never to leave us or forsake us.  When we feel alone, forgotten, and misunderstood, God is present.  Let’s open our hearts to him and experience his welcoming embrace.