“If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses?“
Jeremiah 12:5
Wait! What does that verse say? Competing with horses? In a foot race? Seriously? I swore off running in the 4th grade!
I reread the verse, then immediately backed up to the first verse in the chapter to read the entire passage again and remind myself of the context.
In Jeremiah 12:1-4, the weeping prophet groans and complains to God over the prosperity and good fortune of the wicked. He questions why God allows the wicked and treacherous to prosper while good people suffer hard times. Jeremiah goes so far as to suggest how God might want to handle those who do evil and reject Him – “pull them out like sheep for the slaughter” – get rid of them!
The remainder of the chapter is God’s response to Jeremiah. Let’s focus on the first words of that response because there is great application for you and me.
“If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses?” (Jeremiah 12:5)
God rebuked Jeremiah for allowing his circumstances to wear him down – it’s not a harsh rebuke, but it is a rebuke all the same. It would be like you telling me about a difficult situation and me saying, “You think that is bad? Just wait until you see what’s going to happen next!”
God is preparing Jeremiah for tougher times ahead. He is saying, “If you can’t deal with today’s situation how will you deal with the trials, tests, and challenges of tomorrow? The difficulties of today are equipping and strengthening you to trust and walk with Me through the trials that are coming.”
Does this conversation between Jeremiah and God remind you of any conversations you may have had with your Heavenly Father? I hear myself in these verses. Lord, why are the wicked succeeding while I flounder? Why does it seem so easy for her? She’s not following You; I am, and everything seems like a struggle for me. In Psalm Chapter Ten, the Psalmists asks God “why, do You stand far away when the wicked and unbelieving are flourishing?”
Although Scripture tells us differently, in the secret recesses of the heart, most believers want (expect?) a smooth and trouble-free path in life. We want a path that someone else’s bruised and bloodied feet have already made smooth, a path where someone else has already fought and defeated the enemies and predators along the way. Dear friend, that is not the way the Christian life works.
In preparing the disciples for His death and the difficult days that would follow, Jesus said,
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV
Trouble is guaranteed, but peace is possible. Be encouraged. JESUS has overcome the world. JESUS has everything under control!
If you read Psalm 10 in its entirety, you will see that the Psalmist recognized the potential for peace as well and acknowledged God’s involvement in all of our circumstances.
“But You do see, for You note mischief and vexation, that you may take it into your hands. …O LORD, You hear the desire of the afflicted; You will strengthen their heart.” Psalm 10:14a, 17
The Psalmist realizes that NOTHING escapes God’s notice. He sees and makes note of it all. He hears the cries of His afflicted children, and He strengthens and encourages them.
GOD has PURPOSE in the challenges and trials
GOD is PREPARING you for the future
GOD will PROVIDE all you need to face the difficulties of tomorrow
GOD PROMISES a great reward
Your job is simply this:
Trust God, Obey and Keep Running
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 ESV
“As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.” 2 Thessalonians 3:13 ESV
Back to racing horses. We read Jeremiah 12:5 as a metaphor for the trials we encounter in our walk with Christ, but for the Prophet Elijah – it was a reality.
A God-imposed drought in Israel made Elijah a wanted man. Rather than acknowledge that Israel’s idolatry and rebellion against God were the reason that God withheld the rain, wicked King Ahab blamed Elijah. For three years, Elijah stayed out of sight, first at the Brook Cherith and then with the widow of Zarephath and her son. During that challenging period of exile, God prepared Elijah for what was to come – a fiery showdown against 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah atop Mount Carmel. (1 Kings 17-18)
God’s mighty power was displayed on Mount Carmel. The false prophets were destroyed, and Israel turned back to God. Then Elijah prayed seven times for rain. After the final prayer, Elijah told King Ahab to get in his chariot and head down the mountain to safety in the city – the rains were coming! Ahab’s horses raced down Mount Carmel to beat the fast-approaching rain.
“And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah, and he gathered up his garment and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.” 1 King 18:46
It’s unlikely that God will ever ask you to race against horses; but know this with certainty, there IS a race for you to run.
“…Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 2Corinthians 4:17 NIV
To repeat, your job is simply this:
Trust God, Obey, and Keep Running