Every parent has heard the words “I don’t love you anymore!” a time or two from their child when they had to discipline them or the child did not get what he or she wanted. No matter who you are, those words cut to the heart of a mom or dad. Well, our heavenly father hears those words often, even from the best of his children.

Jeremiah was called out by God at a young age to preach his word to a rebellious king and country. He was to warn them of the coming disaster to befall them by the King of Babylon if they did not repent and turn from their wicked ways. God told Jeremiah to preach these exact words:

“My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water” (Jer.2:13).

However, the King and people did not want to hear that message. Instead they listened to the preachers who were telling them everything was fine and the drought and famine and would soon be over. So they continued in the sinful, selfish and indulgent lifestyles they were accustomed to.

Well, Jeremiah’s message was not very popular to say the least. In fact, Jeremiah was ridiculed, persecuted, arrested, beaten and thrown into an abandoned well with mud up to his waist and left to die. In essence, he was in deep … well you get the picture. He had no friends and his own family disowned him. He was alone, very alone. In one of those low moments, as he was reflecting on his life and ministry, he said this to God:

“Why is my pain unending and my wound grievous and incurable? You are to me like a deceptive brook, like a spring that fails” (Jer. 15:18).

He said what? That’s right; he told God, “You are like one of those dry wells to me! You have let me down! I don’t love you anymore!”

What was his heavenly father’s response? After he let him vent, God said something like this: “Jeremiah, your words are very hurtful and foolish. I never told you life and ministry would be easy. When you come to your senses, I will restore your strength, and give you the wisdom and authority to finish what I called you to do” (Jer 15:19-21).

When Jeremiah heard this from God and put things into the proper perspective, he asked for forgiveness and carried on with his mission. He concluded by saying: “Lord, you are the hope of Israel – the spring of living water. Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise” (Jer.17:13-14).

Have you ever told God “I don’t love you anymore” or reflected that attitude by your actions? Have you ever said to God “It’s not fair, you should have done this or that”? Have you ever accused him of not coming through and letting you down? Well, you are in good company. And like Jeremiah, if you return to him, he will help you back on your feet and give you what it takes to succeed in this life. He will restore the joy and peace only he can provide. He will quench the thirst of a hurting heart and fill the empty soul with living water.”

See you in church.