Jeremiah, the Weeping Prophet

Sometimes God has to search for a person who is willing to weep over the sins of other people. Jeremiah was that type of person. That is why we call him the "weeping prophet." As we have been reading, he delivered some very strong messages about the punishment of God coming on His people. He did not pull punched. He delivered God's message in full, and He did it well. However, behind the words was a heart of love and compassion. (Jeremiah 13:17) Jeremiah was honest and opened his heart to the people of God. He told them that if they did not listen, his innermost being would weep in secret because of their pride, and his eyes would overflow with tears, because the Lord's flock had been taken captive. I wonder if we, as Christians, have the same type of compassion for the people who are not listening to the Lord today? We should.

I am convinced that God is looking for us to have soft hearts. He does not want us to be angry with evil so much that we do not see the people who are committing evil as those for whom Jesus died. Every one of them is precious in His sight. Yes, they may not be listening to the Lord, and they may be doing some very abhorrent things, but they are made in God's image. In order to reach them with the gospel, we have to weep in our innermost being for them. We need for the tears to pour out as we pray for their souls to be touched and for them to turn to Jesus as Lord and Savior. Truly, Satan has taken many people captive by his deception and lies. However, as long as they are alive there is a chance for them to repent and turn to the Lord. This is the desire of God's heart, and it should be the desire of our heart, as well. I pray that we will be known for our compassion for the lost and for our tears for their salvation.

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Tomorrow, I intend to read Jeremiah 14-17.