Introduction

Welcome, dear friends. We gather here today, bound by our shared faith, our shared hope, and our shared love for God's word. We come together, not as strangers, but as a family. A family brought together by God's grace, and held together by His love.

Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the book of Jeremiah. Specifically, Jeremiah 16:6. It reads:

"Both great and small will die in this land. They will not be buried or mourned, and no one will cut themselves or shave their head for them."

A stark passage. A passage that speaks of a time of great suffering and loss. But also, a passage that speaks to us today, in our own times of trial.

Trusting Truths

In the words of G.K. Chesterton, "Hope means hoping when things are hopeless, or it is no virtue at all.” And so, we come to this passage not with despair, but with hope. Hope born from God's promise of salvation. Hope that carries us through our darkest hours.

We will not shy away from the harsh realities of this passage. Instead, we will face them head on, with open hearts and open minds. We will find in them, not just a story of hardship, but a message of trust, patience and reliance on God's divine power.

The inevitability of suffering: We see it in the words "Both great and small will die in this land." It's a reminder that suffering is a part of life, a part of the human condition. But it's also a reminder that suffering is not the end of the story. It's not the final word. Because in the midst of suffering, we find the promise of God's presence. We find the promise of His comfort and His care. We find the promise of His love.

The futility of our own efforts: We see it in the words "They will not be buried or mourned, and no one will cut themselves or shave their head for them." It's a stark reminder that our own efforts, our own rituals, our own attempts to control and manage our grief, are ultimately futile. But it's also a reminder that our futility is not the end of the story. It's not the final word. Because in the midst of our futility, we find the promise of God's power. We find the promise of His strength and His sovereignty. We find the promise of His grace.

The necessity of trust: We see it in the stark realities of the passage, in the harsh truths it presents. It's a reminder that trust is not a luxury, but a necessity. But it's also a reminder that our trust is not in vain. It's not misplaced. Because in the midst of our trust, we find the promise of God's faithfulness. We find the promise of His steadfast love and His unwavering commitment to us. We find the promise of His covenant.

The promise of hope: We see it in the midst of the suffering, the futility, and the necessity of trust. It's a reminder that hope is not a wish, but a promise. But it's also a reminder that our hope is not unfounded. It's not wishful thinking. Because in the midst of our hope, we find the promise of God's salvation. We find the promise of His redemption and His restoration. We find the promise of His eternal life.

Waiting Wisely

As we continue to immerse ourselves in the depths of Jeremiah 16:6, we find ourselves drawn to the notion of waiting ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO