Jeremiah had a terribly difficult task. He prophesied doom and destruction to a people who did not want to hear from him. Even after it became obvious that Jeremiah’s prophecies were true, people still refused to listen to and heed his words.
In Jeremiah 37, Jeremiah warned Zedekiah and other leaders of Judah that their optimism was misplaced,
Thus says the lord, Do not deceive yourselves, sayin, ‘The Chaldeans will surely go away from us,’ for they will not go away. For even if you should defeat the whole army of the Chaldeans who are fighting against you, and there remained of them only wounded men, every man in his tent, they would rise up and burn this city with fire.
Jeremiah 37:9-10
God had planned destruction for Jerusalem because of their disobedience. There were some who believed that maybe it wouldn’t be that bad, or that perhaps the Babylonians would be defeated. But, God had different plans. God intended for his people to be chastised, to be disciplined.
Defeat was pre-determined for Jerusalem. But, he was still God.
He was the God of defeat. We have this tendency to believe that God’s presence in our lives always means victory. But, he is the God of defeat as well. He is God. Regardless of your situation, he remains seated on his throne. Regardless of your situation, he continues to love and reign.
Losing is not always a bad thing, if we learn. God sometimes decrees our defeat so that he can do something different in our lives. Perhaps he understands that he needs to tear us down so that we can be built up into a more faithful reflection of his image.
Ultimately, Zedekiah and others thought they knew better than the Lord. We can be tempted to do the same thing. But, God is good, even in our defeat. Job pronounced, “Though he slay me, yet I will trust in him.” Job understood that God’s plans are right, even when they aren’t easy or comfortable.
Find your place in God’s plan, even when that plan includes your discipline. Wave the white flag. Surrender to his will. Your surrender will bring about your defeat and his victory, but it will also bring his glory and ultimately your good. You will lose, but in God’s economy, your loss will end in ultimate victory.
Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash
