Private Doubts

On the surface, Jeremiah always might have seemed confident. He delivered messages decisively and with conviction. Yet the reality was far different.

In fact, Jeremiah often was filled with doubts. At the beginning of his ministry, he was not sure he could do what God wanted, claiming that he didn’t “know how to speak” (Jeremiah 1:6). He was condemned for delivering prophecies that seemed heartless, but his critics didn’t know how often he agonized about those messages.

When God gave him words of judgment, Jeremiah felt sadness and compassion, even wishing “that I could cry day and night for my people” (Jeremiah 9:1-3).

Jeremiah’s inner doubts intensified when God directed him to buy a field after learning that His people were to be taken into exile. To him, this made no sense.

How did Jeremiah resolve these conflicts? He knew the truth, that the words He was speaking did not reflect his own personal views or desires. He also knew that these were God’s words, and that he was just His messenger.

When attacked, Jeremiah did not try to justify or defend himself but continued to be faithful to God. He still had doubts but dealt with them in private, with God, where he was honest, sharing each concern.

This pattern applies to us as well. God does not expect us to understand everything He does. He knows our limitations, and understands if we have doubts or questions. Like Jeremiah, we can feel free to discuss our questions, concerns, and doubts, but in private, with Him alone.

Like Jeremiah, our focus should be on being faithful servants. People who aren’t perfect but who seek to serve Him regardless of what others might think or say.