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Day 217, or August 5. I'm not one to complain, but—

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Our thoughts today are from Jeremiah chapter 20 verse 18. Why did I ever come out of the

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womb to see trouble and sorrow, and to end my days in shame?

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First the big picture surrounding this verse. Jeremiah preaches to the people of Judah many

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times, but as well as God speaking to the people, God speaks to the speaker. He is told

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not to marry, which would be hard enough in the twenty-first century, but in ancient days,

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when families and the need for sons and heirs was so important, it must have been a real

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hammer blow for Jeremiah. However, he takes it, because he knows that God has a reason

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for his instruction, even though he never really found out why. Jeremiah ministers faithfully,

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and details all of Judah's sins specifically, just in case they didn't know. Then in frustration,

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or maybe exhaustion, he complains to God, because things aren't working out like he

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planned, and he just doesn't know why, or how to handle this situation.

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And now the action step for today. People are often surprised that preachers are normal

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people, just like them. Jeremiah was a giant amongst God's servants, but he was a man,

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not an angel. He accepts God's will to remain unmarried, and faithfully delivers God's

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pronouncements on Judah. However, finally he seems to crumple and question God's motives.

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Many of us have done this, I'm sure. I can't be the only one, can I? It may be that you

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suspect God only wants perfect people to serve him, and that weakness like this from Jeremiah

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is unacceptable. But you would be wrong. Even Jesus questions God in his last hours in the

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Garden of Gethsemane, when he says, My father, if it is possible, let this cup of suffering

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be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine. Jesus questioned, but

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wanted the best. Our questions are all allowed, even if they come from a heart doubting that

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God knows best. Ask your questions, but then get on with your life with his help.