Can you Run with Horses?

In Jeremiah 12, the prophet Jeremiah is pouring out a complaint to God. Jeremiah is frustrated at the results of his ministry - he is not seeing any results of his labor, the wicked are prospering and worst of all God seems distant. It is at this point God responds...

"If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan? Jeremiah 12:5

God is basically saying it is not going to get much better, in fact, it is going to become more difficult. He tells Jeremiah up until now you have been dealing with the difficulties of life and they are causing you stress what are you going to do when you have to run with the horses. In other words, Jeremiah what are you going to do when it really gets tough?

Ministry is rewarding, and I am thankful I serve in a ministry that has seen plenty of rewards. For the last 5 years, I have been blessed with new friendships, watched lives change and watch God move in some very amazing ways. However, ministry is also difficult, recently I have heard of a few difficulties fellow ministers have faced and I am sure they are worn out. However ministers are not the only ones who get worn out from time to time - life can be difficult whatever your calling may be. When life gets a little troubling let me challenge you to meditate on these verses...

• Malachi 4:2 NKJ – But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings. LORD, you are Jehovah Rapha – The LORD who heals me.
  
  
• Luke 10:19 NKJ – Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
  
  
• 2 Corinthians 12:9 MSG – God said: “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness…I just let Christ take over!”
  
  
• Ephesians 1:13,14 NKJ – In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. LORD thank you for the free gift of Your Holy Spirit.