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Is it OK to complain to God?

Published 11 days ago • 2 min read

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Meditation

Reader,

For this last week of the current series we are back in the Old Testament, copying out a series of evocative prayers.

Even though this passage is headlined "Jeremiah's complaint," it is loaded with faith.

He begins by stating a clear attribute of God "You are always righteous." That is his starting point. The foundation of the whole prayer is God's righteousness.

Jeremiah is pleading for insight out of his own perplexity rather than pointing to some fallibility within God, but even so, as you write this out, you feel the intensity ratchet up with each rhetorical question.

Today's passage is Jeremiah 12:1-4.

Jeremiah’s Complaint

You are always righteous, Lord,
when I bring a case before you.
Yet I would speak with you about your justice:
Why does the way of the wicked prosper?
Why do all the faithless live at ease?

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​2 You have planted them, and they have taken root;
they grow and bear fruit.
You are always on their lips
but far from their hearts.

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​3 Yet you know me, Lord;
you see me and test my thoughts about you.
Drag them off like sheep to be butchered!
Set them apart for the day of slaughter!

How long will the land lie parched
and the grass in every field be withered?
Because those who live in it are wicked,
the animals and birds have perished.

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Moreover, the people are saying,
“He will not see what happens to us.”

Encouragement

Jeremiah's complaint is one we can all empathize with, and it receives an immediate reply from God, whose language is truly patient, majestic, and beautiful compared to Jeremiah's (and our)frustrated requests. It is worth taking the extra time to read God's reply here.

Andy

God's word in your hand

Why not post a picture of your completed page to our Facebook Group today?

Many other club members will be doing the same, and your pictures will be a great encouragement to everyone else in the club.

...and don't worry about your handwriting! It is as unique as you are, and God's word looks beautiful in it.

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Welcome to Bible Copy Club

Bible Copy Club is a daily email containing a short 5-10 verse passage from the Bible for you to copy by hand. Join 100’s of others around the world building an eternal legacy in 5 minutes per day. BCC is God's word in your hand.

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