Looking toward Restoration (2)

Pray Psalm 75.9, 10.
But I will declare forever,
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
“All the horns of the wicked I will also cut off,
But the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.”

Sing Psalm 75.9, 10.
(Galilee: Jesus Call Us)
As for me, I will declare it: Evermore to God be praise!
He abases all the wicked, but His righteous ones He saves!

Read and meditate on Jeremiah 32.16-25.

Prepare.
1. For what things did Jeremiah praise the Lord?

2. What was troubling him in his prayer?

Meditate.
Jeremiah completed the purchase of the land that was rightfully his in Anathoth, and then gave the deed to Baruch for secure keeping (v. 16). This entire transaction seems to have troubled the prophet, and that comes out in his prayer to God in this section.

First, Jeremiah gives us a lesson in how to praise the Lord (vv. 17-23). Too often our praises sound like, “Lord, we really just praise you.” This is because we don’t understand the nature of praise or its purpose, so we use the word praise over and over as a space filler. But look at how Jeremiah enumerated the many praiseworthy things of God: He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things (v. 17). He shows lovingkindness to multitudes and their children (v. 18). He is Lord of all created beings, physical and spiritual (v. 18). He is great in counsel and work, and He watches over all people to treat them justly (v. 19). He delivered His people from Egypt and exalted His Name in the process (v. 20). He brought Israel into the land of promise, and He continued with them even though they did not obey His Word (vv. 21-23).

God Who does all such things is worthy of specific praise from His people, that He might be exalted in their hearts and minds and honored for the great and gracious and glorious God that He is. Jeremiah understood that God dwells in the midst of the praises of His people (Ps. 22.3), and in this difficult and confusing situation, Jeremiah needed to know the Lord’s Presence in a special way. So he labored in a prayer of praise; then he expressed his burden to the Lord (vv. 24, 25).

And that burden was one of confusion: Why, with the Babylonians pressing upon the city, with famine and pestilence and warfare on every hand – just as the Lord had said would happen – why, in such dangerous and desperate times, times even when the prophet was imprisoned, why did God command him to purchase a field, when the whole city is being given over to the Chaldeans?

Jeremiah was only human, and to him, this didn’t make sense. Perhaps he found it to be a little selfish, or just out of sync with the rest of his nearly 40-year ministry. But as we shall see, God graciously and lavishly addressed the prophet’s concern in a way that rejuvenated his ministry and filled him with hope.

Reflect.
1. How much of our time in prayer should be spent praising the Lord? What can you do to improve your times of praise?

2. God is ready to hear all our burdens when we come to Him in prayer. But why is it a good idea to include praise in all our prayers, no matter how urgent our request may seem?

3. Why did this situation trouble Jeremiah so much? Are there troubling circumstances in your life that you need to bring to the Lord in prayer?

Here then at length the Prophet discovers his own perplexity. We have already stated the reason why he made so long an introduction before he came to the main thing: it was necessary for him to put on as it were a bridle; for except we restrain our thoughts, we shall become petulant against God, and there will be no moderation. The Prophet then, that he might not peevishly expostulate with God, set before himself his immeasurable power, and then he added that nothing happens except through his righteous vengeance. He now however asks, how it was, that he was bidden to buy the field when the city and the whole country were delivered up into their enemies. John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on Jeremiah 32.24, 25

I will praise You today, O Lord, because You are…

Pray Psalm 75.1-8.
How many reasons does this psalm give for praising the Lord? Be sure you praise Him for them all.

Sing Psalm 75.1-8.
Psalm 75.1-8 (Galilee: Jesus Calls Us)
We give thanks, Lord, we give thanks for Your all-glorious Name is near!
Men Your wondrous works declare, Lord; let all living creatures hear!

When you choose the time of judgment, You will judge with equity.
Then the earth and all within it by Your hand no more shall be.

Warn the boastful, warn the wicked: “Do not boast or raise your horn!
Do not raise your boastful voices; do not speak with pride and scorn!”

Neither east nor west nor desert shall exalting bring to man.
God is Judge, He puts one down and makes another one to stand.

For the cup of judgment foams in Jesus’ sovereign, holy hand.
He has mixed it and will pour it out on every wicked man.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006). All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).