Jeremiah 18:18-23
Then the people said, “Come on, let’s plot a way to stop Jeremiah. We have plenty of priests and wise men and prophets. We don’t need him to teach the word and give us advice and prophecies. Let’s spread rumors about him and ignore what he says.”Lord, hear me and help me!
Listen to what my enemies are saying.
Should they repay evil for good?
They have dug a pit to kill me,
though I pleaded for them
and tried to protect them from your anger.
So let their children starve!
Let them die by the sword!
Let their wives become childless widows.
Let their old men die in a plague,
and let their young men be killed in battle!
Let screaming be heard from their homes
as warriors come suddenly upon them.
For they have dug a pit for me
and have hidden traps along my path.
Lord, you know all about their murderous plots against me.
Don’t forgive their crimes and blot out their sins.
Let them die before you.
Deal with them in your anger.
I don’t know about you, but after reading this, I cannot help but to appreciate how much Jeremiah loved God…and…loved others. I guess a lot of churches would not be using Jeremiah as an example on how they would like for their people to accomplish that part of their purpose statements! I guess it is true that you can love someone, but still be honest with God when you want Him to knock ’em upside the head…I feel much better now!
