Life Lessons from Jeremiah Pt. 5: The Precious from the Worthless By Louie Marsh, 5-31-2026 When Life Doesn't Make Sense: Backstory of this passage – Malawi – and why this translation, 1) Be completely HONEST with God. "15You who know, O Lord, Remember me, take notice of me, And take vengeance for me on my persecutors. Do not, in view of Your patience, take me away; Know that for Your sake I endure reproach. (Jeremiah 15, NASB95) 2) REMEMBER my own spiritual history. 16Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts. 17I did not sit in the circle of merrymakers, Nor did I exult. Because of Your hand upon me I sat alone, For You filled me with indignation. (Jeremiah 16-17, NASB95) · I must LOVE God's Word 16Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; · I am CALLED by God's Name For I have been called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts. · Don't FOLLOW the crowd. 17I did not sit in the circle of merrymakers, Nor did I exult. · Stand ALONE if necessary. Because of Your hand upon me I sat alone · FEEL the depth of sin in myself & our land. For You filled me with indignation. (Jeremiah 16-17, NASB95) 3) I must be WILLING to speak from my heart. 18Why has my pain been perpetual And my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Will You indeed be to me like a deceptive stream With water that is unreliable? (Jeremiah 19a, NASB95) Complaint is central to lament. But Christians never complain just to complain. Instead, we bring our complaints to the Lord for the purpose of moving us toward him. "2O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you "Violence!" and you will not save? 3Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. 4So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted." (Habakkuk 1:2–4, ESV) "1I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of his wrath; 2he has driven and brought me into darkness without any light; 3surely against me he turns his hand again and again the whole day long." (Lamentations 3:1–3, ESV) 4) God will show me the TRUTH I need to hear. 19Therefore, thus says the Lord, "If you return, then I will restore you— Before Me you will stand; "8Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:8–9, ESV) 5) God says I must LEARN from suffering. And if you extract the precious from the worthless, You will become My spokesman. (Jeremiah 15:19b, NASB95) 6) If I walk with God He'll TAKE CARE of me, They for their part may turn to you, But as for you, you must not turn to them. 20"Then I will make you to this people A fortified wall of bronze; And though they fight against you, They will not prevail over you; For I am with you to save you And deliver you," declares the Lord. 21"So I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked, And I will redeem you from the grasp of the violent."" (Jeremiah 15:19c–21, NASB95)