Footmen and horses

Footmen and horses

Scripture:- 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? Jeremiah 12:5

Observation:- Jeremiah starts off complaining to God about how the wicked and the treacherous prosper. He speaks of the land mourning and the beasts and birds perishing because of the wicked in the land.

The Lord answers Jeremiah in a most interesting way. Firstly, he gives him the picture of a man running with footmen compared to the same man running with horses. Jeremiah was bogged down by little things, easily upset by some of the early opposition that beset him. However, the Lord had in mind far greater things for Jeremiah. His ministry would grow and his name become more and more powerful as Jeremiah’s prophetic ministry for the Lord would lead him to become one of the most important prophets of his time. For us too, sometimes we become weary and tired and discouraged over little things, little setbacks. However, our loving Lord has in mind far greater things for us. We need to look beyond the immediate problems and inconveniences, but continue to seek the destiny that the Lord has for us. We are meant to run with horses and not just with footmen.

Secondly, the Lord gave the contrasting pictures of a land at peace compared to a flood when the river Jordan overflowed. In our peaceful land, we are angry over traffic jams and poor service, but in places like Japan, where life and death is touch and go and many have lost everything in the earthquake and tsunami, they have a much deeper perspective of things. If we do not know how to be thankful to God and appreciate peace during the good times, how can we survive when terrible disaster comes? Indeed, we need to learn to look at the big picture, and be thankful for the simple things in life.

Application:- Meditate on how easily we are frustrated and angry at very little things. Ask God to help us look at life from a deeper perspective, and learn to be thankful for the simple, little things.

Prayer:- Lord, thank You for all that You give me in Your wonderful love. Help me appreciate the little things in life, and develop a deeper perspective and not to be troubled or angry over small things. Bless You, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.