For Such a Time as This

The prophet Jeremiah did not get his nickname the Weeping Prophet because of his hardcore and relentless ethics. He had been called by God to do something extraordinary and exemplary. He was called to bring the idolatrous nation of Israel back to God. Was that an impossible task? Did the people listen to Jeremiah’s cries? Did Jeremiah’s cries go unheard? Just like the people of Jeremiah’s time who had become so hardened by the numbing effects of sin that they no longer believed God, nor did they fear Him; the people of today are similar. How many times have ministers stood in the pulpit or in the streets preaching relentlessly about the importance of people changing their destructive ways and adhering to the Word of God without effect? How many times have the undershepherd of a congregation attempted to lead the flock in the way they should go only to have the flock go in the opposite direction? Can anyone imagine the disheartening and heart-wrenching saga that prevails when the Word of God goes forward and not provoke the people of God to change their wicked ways?

Yes, Jeremiah preached for 40 years, and not once did he see any real success in changing or softening the hearts and minds of his stubborn, idolatrous people. The other prophets of Israel had witnessed some successes, at least for a little while, but not Jeremiah. He was speaking to a brick wall. He weeped for Israel because he knew what was about to happen, and no matter how hard he tried, the people would not listen.

But as a church in the community, what are we doing to make a difference? Are we being proactive in our communities? Are we the ones in the streets conducting peaceful demonstrations to show the world and our communities that for such a time as this we must set aside our differences and trod the stony paths less desired? Exactly how much are we sacrificing to put an end to school violence, to stand up and be the voice for the powerless? By all means, we are supposed to walk in our deliverance and destroy those chains that keeps us from living out our true purpose in life.

For such a time as this, we must gird up our loins and live out the true meaning of the higher calling placed on our lives. Jeremiah weeped because of the agonizing pain of destruction that was headed toward his idolatrous nation. And we too must weep for the Trayvon Martins, Michael Browns, Eric Garners, Freddie Grays, Sandra Blands, Alton Sterlings, Philando Castiles and all others whose voices were cut silent. We too must weep for a nation that has long ago forgotten that this country was built on the principles of God. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and he hath set the world upon them. 1 Samuel 2:8.