Life Lessons from Jeremiah Pt. 4: Honest to God By Louie Marsh, 5-24-2026 Jeremiah complains to God about the evil in Israel 1) I must be both honest and RESPCTFUL towards God. "1Righteous are you, O Lord, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you. (Jeremiah 12:1a ESV) "2"Today also my complaint is bitter; my hand is heavy on account of my groaning. 3Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat! 4I would lay my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments." (Job 23:2–4, ESV) · Why does evil PROSPER? Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive? 2You plant them, and they take root; they grow and produce fruit; you are near in their mouth and far from their heart. (Jeremiah 12:1b-2, ESV) · It's OKAY to question God when I don't understand. 3But you, O Lord, know me; you see me, and test my heart toward you. (Jeremiah 12:3a, ESV) · My solution – ANNIHILATE them! Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and set them apart for the day of slaughter. 4How long will the land mourn and the grass of every field wither? For the evil of those who dwell in it the beasts and the birds are swept away, because they said, "He will not see our latter end.""(Jer.12: 3b-4, ESV) 2) God's answer – That's above your PAYGRADE. "5"If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you are so trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan? Jeremiah 12:5, ESV) Short answer: no, not in a sprint. A horse can hit around 40 to 44 miles per hour, while the fastest humans top out near 27 or 28. But over long distances? Sometimes yes. Humans have beaten horses in races around 20 to 22 miles, like the Man versus Horse Marathon in Wales. It's happened five times in 46 years, usually on hilly terrain in hot weather—our sweat cooling system helps when horses overheat. In even longer ultras, humans can hold their own or pull ahead in the right conditions, thanks to endurance and better heat regulation. "8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8–9, ESV) · I must not be NAÏVE when dealing with evil. 6For even your brothers and the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you; they are in full cry after you; do not believe them, though they speak friendly words to you." 7"I have forsaken my house; I have abandoned my heritage; I have given the beloved of my soul into the hands of her enemies. Jeremiah 12:6-7, ESV) · God will judge in HIS TIME not mine! 8My heritage has become to me like a lion in the forest; she has lifted up her voice against me; therefore I hate her. 9Is my heritage to me like a hyena's lair? Are the birds of prey against her all around? Go, assemble all the wild beasts; bring them to devour. 10Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard; they have trampled down my portion; they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness. 11They have made it a desolation; desolate, it mourns to me. The whole land is made desolate, but no man lays it to heart. Jeremiah 12:8–11, ESV) · Those who profit from evil will only receive JUDGEMENT. 12Upon all the bare heights in the desert destroyers have come, for the sword of the Lord devours from one end of the land to the other; no flesh has peace. 13They have sown wheat and have reaped thorns; they have tired themselves out but profit nothing. They shall be ashamed of their harvests because of the fierce anger of the Lord."" (Jeremiah 12:12–13, ESV) 3) I must GUARD AGAINST false repentance. "7"Though our iniquities testify against us, act, O Lord, for your name's sake; for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against you. 8O you hope of Israel, its savior in time of trouble, why should you be like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who turns aside to tarry for a night? 9Why should you be like a man confused, like a mighty warrior who cannot save? Yet you, O Lord, are in the midst of us, and we are called by your name; do not leave us." 10Thus says the Lord concerning this people: "They have loved to wander thus; they have not restrained their feet; therefore the Lord does not accept them; now he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins."" (Jeremiah 14:7–10, ESV) "9As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. 10For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 11For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter." (2 Corinthians 7:9–11, ESV)