Tuesday 13 March 2007

The swelling of Jordan (Jeremiah 12:1-6)

There are times when all our rivers seem to overflow. I feel the swelling these days: everything seems difficult. Therefore, it was with much joy that I read, yesterday, about Jeremiah’s doubts, and the answer he received from the Lord.

“Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? Wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?” Does no one ever oppose them? Is everything always easy for them? Why?

God answers: “If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?” The little problems that I face today are preparing me to race against horses. The little adversities of this present day mould our character in such a way that, when Jordan overflows all his banks, we will stand firm.

He who never had trouble is weak. He who never suffered, never grew. The wicked (pity them!) will be the first to be washed away by Jordan. But those who learned to trust in God in all their tribulations will not be taken by the swelling of Jordan.

Therefore, let us gladly accept the tribulations that come our way — may we glory in them! (Romans 5:3-5)

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