And Jeremiah remained in the court of the guard until the day that Jerusalem was taken. (Jeremiah 38:28 ESV)
Fear Not… Then Wait
They say a watched pot never boils. In the same way, a watched microwave never dings. A watched cake never finishes baking. A watched download is never completed. And a watched raspberry bush never grows.
We say those things. But they are not true. We say those things because waiting is a lost art.
We want what we want NOW. We demand what we want NOW. We do not want to wait, EVER.
This is the appeal of modern fast food, quick-dry paint, online degrees, and audio books.
This attitude effects our prayers. (Why hasn’t God answered yet???) This attitude effects our patience. (I have already waited for ten minutes!!!!) This attitude effects our trust. (If God really loved me, He would have helped already!!!)
But remember Jeremiah. He preached long and hard, warning the people of their rebellion against God. They had not listened. He preached again, long and hard, warning the people of Jerusalem of the coming invasion. They had not listened. He preached again, long and hard, warning the people of Jerusalem of the coming destruction. They had not listened.
And then he waited.
He took God at His word, and waited.
He did not try to do all of God’s work himself.
He waited.
Jeremiah was not lazy. He worked before he waited. He listened before He waited. He obeyed before he waited.
But then he waited.
Maybe Jeremiah had heard Isaiah’s promise: “but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 ESV)
Fear not, then wait.