“Jeremiah started to leave the city to go to the territory of Benjamin to get his share of the property among the people there. But when he reached the Benjamin Gate, the captain of the guard, whose name was Irijah son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah, arrested him and said, “You are deserting to the Babylonians!” “That’s not true!” Jeremiah said. “I am not deserting to the Babylonians.” But Irijah would not listen to him; instead, he arrested Jeremiah and brought him to the officials. They were angry with Jeremiah and had him beaten and imprisoned in the house of Jonathan the secretary, which they had made into a prison.” Jeremiah 37:11-16 NIV
“Shephatiah son of Mattan, Gedaliah son of Pashhur, Jehukal son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur son of Malkijah heard what Jeremiah was telling all the people when he said, 2 “This is what the Lord says: ‘Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague, but whoever goes over to the Babylonians will live. They will escape with their lives; they will live.’ 3 And this is what the Lord says: ‘This city will certainly be given into the hands of the army of the king of Babylon, who will capture it.’” 4 Then the officials said to the king, “This man should be put to death. He is discouraging the soldiers who are left in this city, as well as all the people, by the things he is saying to them. This man is not seeking the good of these people but their ruin.” 5 “He is in your hands,” King Zedekiah answered. “The king can do nothing to oppose you.” 6 So they took Jeremiah and put him into the cistern of Malkijah, the king’s son, which was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered Jeremiah by ropes into the cistern; it had no water in it, only mud, and Jeremiah sank down into the mud.” Jeremiah 38:1-11 NIV
God of truth,
Jeremiah was just going to slide away from the trouble in Jerusalem to a more peaceful territory. Alas, he was too well known and too outspoken and was spotted. He was wrongly accused of deserting to Babylonia and imprisoned in the secretaries house with others who had been arrested. There was little food and little water and little room! Am I easily spotted as someone who speaks Your message? Do I ever do anything that makes me look like I am deserting?
And no doubt Jeremiah prayed. He has opportunity to speak to the King about being wrongly imprisoned so he gets a small reprieve. He is moved to the courtyard of the guard and given a loaf of bread daily from the street of the bakers until all the bread in the city was gone. I sometimes complain about being hungry and I am terrible at fasting . . . perhaps I should consider how blessed I am.
But then it gets even worse. He is lowered into a cistern in the yard. Thankfully empty of water but still muddy at the bottom. Where he grew weak. Sometimes things happen and we pray and it gets a bit better and then sometimes it gets worse. You never promised us it would be easy. Jesus said we must take up our cross . . . (Luke 9:23). Perhaps like Jeremiah in our weakness we just need to wait and trust. You saved Jeremiah from the mud and You saved me from sinking in sin.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Monday 25th August 2025
Again this song just keeps wrapping me up in the love of God and keeping me worshipping.
When I fear my faith will fail
Christ will hold me fast
When the tempter would prevail
He will hold me fast
I could never keep my hold
Through life’s fearful path
For my love is often cold
He must hold me fast
He will hold me fast
He will hold me fast
For my Savior loves me so
He will hold me fast
Those He saves are His delight
Christ will hold me fast
Precious in His holy sight
He will hold me fast
He’ll not let my soul be lost
His promises shall last
Bought by Him at such a cost
He will hold me fast
For my life He bled and died
Christ will hold me fast
Justice has been satisfied
He will hold me fast
Raised with Him to endless life
He will hold me fast
Till our faith is turned to sight
When he comes at last
Lyrics: Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Selah 2020.