Questions from a Suffering Minister
James 5:10-11 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 11Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
Sometimes the righteous will suffer. When you are a faithful servant of God and suffering comes your way, often we may question God. It may be financial needs, persecution, slander and false accusations, sickness, or the pain of seeing a family member suffering. Often we can be faithful in doing the work of God and suffering comes our way. This leads to questions. How long will I have to endure this? Where are the promises of God? Why am I experiencing this? God, did you forget me?
However, as the scripture says, we can look at the example of the prophets, and the righteous man Job, who endured suffering and saw the faithfulness of God. In that respect, we will look at the prophet Jeremiah and the questions that he asked God during his times of suffering.
Jeremiah had some interesting questions when he was facing persecution because of his ministry.
Jeremiah 15:18 Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail?
Why Is My Pain Continual?
For speaking the Lord’s message, Jeremiah continued to face intense persecution, insult, mockery, and threats of death. He is even rejected by his own relatives and neighbors. He complains to God; he is under attack and feels under threat by His enemies. He is apprehensive for something to change. Here, he asks, “why is my pain continual?” This is just like when we ask, “How long do I have to put up with this? Why am I experiencing this?” He felt that the suffering he was facing would go on forever. Have you ever felt this way? After years of serving God, only to find that you continue to be attacked, slandered, and criticized for doing God’s work.
Many ministers and workers in the body of Christ experience this, may feel like Jeremiah and may have asked similar questions. Furthermore, even during this time of a global pandemic, pastors may face the loss of church members, or financial difficulties and ask why? Faithful believers around the world could be pondering about God’s plan during the suffering from the virus.
Jeremiah’s Pain is Over
The Offensive Nature of His Ministry & Message (Jeremiah 15:10). He had the task of prophesying things that many of the people did not have to hear. His ministry and message were offensive to his countrymen. Therefore, it seems his suffering would be unending once as he continued to prophesy.
Longing for retribution to His Enemies (Jeremiah 15:15). Furthermore, Jeremiah longed for something to be done about those who were mocking him. He was seeking for God to revenge him of his persecutors..
The Seeming Failure of His Sacrifices (Jeremiah 15:16-18). Despite what he gave up to answer the call of God, he wondered if it was all a failure.
The righteous, who are suffering for the work of God can feel like Jeremiah. We can feel like our work for God is only producing continual suffering, and it seems God is not coming through on his end. This is not true, but it shows how we can doubt God and grow disillusioned, disappointed, and even bitter.
Will God Fail Me In This Moment Of Need?
Jeremiah 15:18 ...wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail?
Jeremiah asks if God will be like a stream (waters) that goes dry (fail) in the summer. Like when you go to a river expecting water, but when you arrive there is none, and it is in the heat of the day. So Jeremiah is asking if God will disappoint him in the same way. Perhaps he is worried that his enemy will harm him. “Wilt thou be unto me as a liar”, Jeremiah says. This is like when we ask, “Where are the promises of God? God, did you forget me?
Often, God may give you a promise, dream, or a vision that you were expecting to unfold at a certain time, only to find that opposition arose instead. Some of you may even have made plans for this year, which are on hold due to this pandemic. You may feel like at the critical moment, God did not seem to come through. However, God has an answer for this.
God’s Answer
Jeremiah 15:19-21 Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them.
20And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brasen wall: and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
21And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.
God tells Jeremiah to return from his words of disappointment. His words of disappointment and disillusionment at the ministry and God’s promise is foolish. If the prophet continued to speak as he was, it would disqualify him to keep speaking prophetically. But if he would purge away the foolish speech, then God would continue to use him as a prophet. If we allow questions of doubt to take us over, it will keep us from being bold messengers of God. Without the conviction of God’s faithfulness, we cannot speak with boldness.
The point is that the prophet should dedicate himself to being God’s mouthpiece, in spite of the attacks. He should hold the line as God’s prophet, and let the people come to him, but not give in to their insults or rejection of God. God would continue to use Him, and God would protect Him. To be used by God and have His assurance of protection is what every righteous man needs in the face of opposition. It is amazing how God’s response reassures the prophet’s call to ministry. God said he would “bring thee again”, and that Jeremiah would “stand before me”, and that Jeremiah would “be as my mouth”. Essentially, Jeremiah would have God’s presence and be God’s messenger. These were conditional on Jeremiah returning to a place of trust and remaining faithful to God. However, God tells him this to move him to stay faithful despite the circumstances. God brought an answer when the prophet voiced his complaint to God. When we bring our disappointments and doubts to God, He will give an answer.
The lesson for us is to be watchful of our spirit even in the time of adversity. While we may have questions, bring the issues to God, and continue to dedicate yourself to His service. Whether we are experiencing suffering or triumph, it is vital that we continue to dedicate ourselves to God daily, to remain faithful to the call of God upon our lives.
Then God reassures him of His Hand of Protection:
God would Protect Him
God Would Give HIm Victory
God Would Be With Him
God would Save Him
God Would Deliver Him
In the same way, we understand that even in suffering we ought to focus on the purpose of God for our lives. God’s plan is that we seek to do His will, no matter what is taking place. Our voice must continue to glorify God and speak His truth. God will keep his promise. We must endure in faith.
God reassures Jeremiah of His protection over him. In the end, God will both reassure and show His promises to us. James 5:11 says, ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. Let us continue to endure despite the sufferings you may face as a minister of the Lord. God will show you His favor and promises because He is faithful.
