O LORD of hosts, who tests the righteous,
who sees the heart and the mind,
let me see your vengeance upon them,
for to you have I committed my cause.
Jeremiah 20:12
The words of Jeremiah in this very personal prayer recorded in Jeremiah 20:7-18 are sort of his journal entries as he processes his persecution for speaking God’s truth to ruling authorities who reject God. For the “crime” of preaching God’s impending judgment upon Judah, Jeremiah was beaten and then locked in stocks for public view. This humiliation was meant to shame and silence him (Jeremiah 20:1-2).
Instead, the prophet privately turned his frustrations to the Lord, but very publicly, and immediately, confronted the official who beat him, calling all the leaders who rejected the Lord’s message “false prophets” who were misleading God’s people (Jeremiah 20:3-6). The prophet of God cannot be silenced when God has decreed that His truth be broadcast! Jeremiah’s prophetic ministry actually thrived when the truth was rejected. The more officials tried to silence him, the bigger the message got!
That is why, in this private prayer for God to act, Jeremiah can long to see God’s vengeance without himself being vindictive. God had already decreed that these things would happen. Judah would fall to invaders, her cities would be ransacked and burned, and her people would be led away as captives. Since this was God’s will and was going to happen, Jeremiah simply longs for the glory of God to be known even as His judgments are revealed. It sounds harsh, but seeing God’s Word fulfilled in His power, even in harsh judgment, is truly cause for deep and impactful worship.
So no matter what, God’s people can always worship the Lord. Even in the hardest of times. Even in societal turmoil. Even in war. Even in the chaos of changes that show our need to trust God. Thank God that today Jesus remains constant! Thank God that He Who sees and tests hearts has given Christians new hearts that can trust Him even as their world will burn!
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