As we walk through Scriptures on long-suffering, we once again look at God’s long-suffering.
“14 And I will make thee to pass with thine enemies into a land which thou knowest not: for a fire is kindled in mine anger, which shall burn upon you.
15 O Lord, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke.
16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.”
We see here that our long-suffering, loving God is also a God who does become angry at disobedience and disciplines His children. Jeremiah is asking for grace in the midst of the discipline, essentially, as I understand it from the rest of the chapter, as he has suffered rebuke for God’s sake. Yet, Jeremiah shows his willingness to bow to God’s will even in the midst of all this as he is called by the God’s name.
It was sufficient in the midst of rebuke and discipline to be called by God’s name. In the hard road of suffering from our health or care-giving, when it just doesn’t seem to end, remember that if you have chosen God, you are called by His name. That is a precious and wonderful thing that brings joy and rejoicing despite circumstances.
Amen.
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