A Long Time

Jeremiah was put into a vaulted cell in a dungeon,

where he remained a long time. Jeremiah 37:16

This really does seem unfair. Jeremiah was doing exactly what God had commanded him. He was carrying a message from God to Zedekiah, King of Judah. Yet when he arrived at the city gate, he was accused of trying to defect to the enemy and was promptly arrested.

Jeremiah was beaten and thrown into prison where he languished for “a long time.” We don’t know exactly how long, but it was long enough to rule out any quick deliverance from God. God did not bail Jeremiah out. The situation in Jeremiah’s life was bad, and it stayed that way for a season.

Life can be like that. We often seem so surprised, so upset when tough seasons settle in. We shouldn’t be. The Bible is filled with stories of the long term suffering of God’s people. The Egyptian captivity lasted 400 years. The Babylonian captivity lasted 70. Moses led the rebellious Israelites through the wilderness for 40 long years. Job suffered through years of pain and grief. Jacob had to work 14 years to gain his wife. Biblical characters seem quite familiar with the suffering mentioned in Jeremiah’s phrase “a long time.”

And so are we. I think of my friend who has been faithfully serving a sick wife for over a decade, or my daughter’s former school teacher who has waited years for her wayward husband to return to her.

I think of ministers who faithfully serve dead and/or rebellious congregations with little visible fruit, or missionaries who sometimes labor for years without even seeing a single convert to Christ.

I think of the parents of a severely handicapped child who offer their tireless love, even though the child will never be able to return it or even acknowledge it.

Yes, we too are familiar with the long time of suffering. And yet, the day finally came for Jeremiah when he was released from prison. Exiles and captivities do end, wilderness wanderings eventually do lead to the Promised Land, and jail doors do eventually open.

You may find yourself today in a season of suffering or confusion for what seems like a long time. Remember that you are not alone in your suffering. Remember also that God has not abandoned you. Deliverance will come. This season will end.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

The post A Long Time appeared first on Will Davis Jr.