Introduction

Good morning, dear friends. I stand before you today, filled with a sense of joy and anticipation, as we prepare to open God's Word together. Our lives are filled with questions, uncertainties, and dilemmas. We often find ourselves asking, "Why is this happening? What is God's plan in all of this?" Today, we have the privilege to turn to the book of Jeremiah, chapter 12, to find some answers.

Corrie Ten Boom once said, "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." Today, we cling to that lifeline, trusting that the Word of God will guide us, enlighten us, and comfort us.

The Scripture passage we are going to study today reads as follows:

[Read passage]

Now, friends, let's prepare our hearts for the Word of God. Let's pray.

Heavenly Father, we come before You today, humbled and eager to hear Your voice. We ask that You open our hearts and minds to Your Word. Help us, Lord, to not only understand Your message but also to apply it in our daily lives. We pray that through this study, we will grow in our faith, draw closer to You, and be empowered to live out Your will. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

In the following moments, we will be focusing on three main points: Perceiving God's Plan, Participating in God's Plan, and Persevering through God's Plan. As we navigate through these points, let's remember that God's Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. It is not a roadmap that reveals the entire journey, but a lamp that illuminates our next step. Are we ready to take that step? Are we ready to trust in God's plan, even when we can't see the whole picture? Let's find out together.

Perceiving God's Plan

As we look at the words of Jeremiah, we find him in a state of confusion and frustration. He's looking around at the world and seeing wicked people prosper. He's seeing treacherous people thrive. And he's asking God, "Why?" This is a question that many of us have asked at one point or another. We see injustice in the world. We see good people suffering and bad people succeeding. And we ask, "Why, God? Why is this happening?"

Jeremiah doesn't stop at asking "Why?": He also says, "You, O LORD, know me; you see me, and test my heart toward you." Here, Jeremiah is acknowledging that God knows him better than he knows himself. He's acknowledging that God sees his heart and tests his faith. And he's trusting that God has a plan, even if he can't see it.

The first step in perceiving God's plan: Acknowledging that God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows our hearts. He knows our desires. He knows our strengths and our weaknesses. And He has a plan for us, even when we can't see it.

The second step: Trust in that plan. This can be difficult, especially when we're in the midst of trials and tribulations. It's easy to trust in God's plan when everything is going well. But when we're facing challenges, it can be hard to believe that God has a plan and that it's for our good.

This is exactly what Jeremiah does: Despite his confusion and frustration, he trusts in God's plan. He says, "Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and set them apart for the day of calamity." Here, Jeremiah is expressing his trust in God's justice. He's trusting that God will deal with the wicked and the treacherous in His own time and in His own way.

The third step in perceiving God's plan: Trusting in God's justice. We may not understand why wicked people prosper or why good people suffer. But we can trust that God is just and that He will deal with each person according to their deeds. But trusting in God's justice is not enough. We also need to seek His guidance. This is what Jeremiah does when he asks, "How long will the land mourn and the grass of every field wither?" Here, Jeremiah is seeking God's guidance. He's asking God to show him what to do and how to respond to the situation.

The fourth step in perceiving God's plan: Seeking God's guidance. We may not know what to do in a given situation. But we can ask God to guide us. We can ask Him to show us the way. And we can trust that He will lead us in the right direction.

Perceiving God's plan requires us to be patient. This is what Jeremiah does when he says, "He will not see our latter end." Here, Jeremiah is expressing his patience. He's acknowledging that God's plan may not unfold immediately. It may take time. But he's willing to wait for it.

Participating in God's Plan

As we continue to immerse ourselves in the wisdom of Jeremiah 12:1-4, we find ourselves challenged to not only perceive God's plan but to actively participate in it ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO