“The word of the Lord… to Jeremiah concerning the drought:
“’Judah mourns,
her cities languish;
they wail for the land,
and a cry goes up from Jerusalem.
The nobles send their servants for water;
they go to the cisterns
but find no water.
They return with their jars unfilled;
dismayed and despairing,
they cover their heads.
The ground is cracked
because there is no rain in the land;
the farmers are dismayed
and cover their heads.
Even the doe in the field
deserts her newborn fawn
because there is no grass.
Wild donkeys stand on the barren heights
and pant like jackals;
their eyes fail
for lack of food.’
“Although our sins testify against us,
do something, Lord, for the sake of your name.
For we have often rebelled;
we have sinned against you.
You who are the hope of Israel,
its Savior in times of distress…
You are among us, Lord,
and we bear your name;
do not forsake us!..
“We acknowledge our wickedness, Lord,..
we have indeed sinned against you.
For the sake of your name do not despise us;
do not dishonor your glorious throne.
Remember your covenant with us…
Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain?
Do the skies themselves send down showers?
No, it is you, Lord our God.
Therefore our hope is in you,
for you are the one who does all this.”
“This is what the Lord says:
“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
who draws strength from mere flesh
and whose heart turns away from the Lord.
That person will be like a bush in the wastelands…
They will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
in a salt land where no one lives.
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”
“The heart is deceitful above all things
and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?
“I the Lord search the heart
and examine the mind,
to reward each person according to their conduct,
according to what their deeds deserve.” Jeremiah 14:1-8a,9b,20-22; 17:5-10
Jeremiah prophesied with sting and hope and clarity. Detailing the ruinous consequences of Israel’s pride, idolatry, and wickedness, the resulting drought of life and heart, he made way for confession, repentance, and renewal. By naming their sin and trusting in the Name of their sovereign Savior, they could return and be restored. (Jeremiah 12:15-17; 13:15-17,25-27; 15:19-21)
Identifying with God’s Name indicates we have repented of and traded in our former gods. Gradually we become less interested in making a name for ourselves, and more in making much of His. When we rebel, the Lord uses the consequent despair and distress to turn us back to Himself. (1 John 1:9; Colossians 3:1-17)
What might hard circumstances or drought of soul be teaching? Is there specific sin of thought or act the Spirit is prompting us to confess? How readily do we name our affronts to God’s holy Name and cling to His gospel gift? How might our reckoning exalt and make known His power and might? (Jeremiah 16:21)
Oh Lord, keep me honest about my sin and confident in Your high and holy Name, that it be magnified.
As the rain and snow 