Jeremiah 15:15-18

14 And I will make you cross over with[a] your enemies
Into a land which you do not know;
For a fire is kindled in My anger,
Which shall burn upon you.”
15 O LORD, You know;
Remember me and visit me,
And take vengeance for me on my persecutors.
In Your enduring patience, do not take me away.
Know that for Your sake I have suffered rebuke.
16 Your words were found, and I ate them,
And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart;
For I am called by Your name,
O LORD God of hosts.
17 I did not sit in the assembly of the mockers,
Nor did I rejoice;
I sat alone because of Your hand,
For You have filled me with indignation.
18 Why is my pain perpetual
And my wound incurable,
Which refuses to be healed?
Will You surely be to me like an unreliable stream,
As waters that fail?
Jeremiah 15:15-18 NKJV

"Your words were found and I ate them. Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart." Despite the negative reactions of others to the word of the Lord, Jeremiah grew to love the word of God. It became his encouragement and hope. While others ignored or laughed at or fought against or reviled the word of God, Jeremiah came to understand and appreciate the love God was showing His people through the messages of reproof and repentance. As he became closer to God, Jeremiah was separated from many of those around him. He did not sit and fellowship with those who made light of God and those who were fighting against God. As he grew in his relationship with God, he became indignant with those who refused to accept God's words and who made light of the warnings that were predicted to come upon Judah. His relationships with men became painful because of the lack of spiritual understanding and acceptance on their part. As Jeremiah stood with God, he became distant from those who stood against God. To Jeremiah it seemed like there was nothing to remove the loneliness except God and God's word. He begged God to remember him and to keep him close. The rebuke he suffered at the hands of men he put in God's hands. God would be responsible for the outcome for what others did to him, Jeremiah clung to God and His word. Trust in God was Jeremiah's defense against the persecution of his fellow Jews. Jeremiah was content to be called by the name of God, as a child of God he stood with God and walked with Him.

Lord,
Help me today to study Your word and allow Your word to become my joy and rejoicing. Give me the strength and wisdom to trust in You. Turn my heart from the things of the world and make me rejoice in my relationship with You. My pain You want turn to joy and my wounds You desire to heal. Help me to accept the love You show me and help me to share Your love with those around me.