Jeremiah 15:15-21 - Trust in God

"Then I said,

'LORD, you know what's happening to me.
  Please step in and help me. Punish my persecutors!
Please give me time; don't let me die young.
  It's for your sake that I am suffering.
When I discovered your words, I devoured them.
  They are my joy and my heart's delight,
for I bear your name,
  O LORD God of Heaven's Armies.
I never joined the people in their merry feasts.
  I sat alone because your hand was on me.
  I was filled with indignation at their sins.
Why then does my suffering continue?
  Why is my wound so incurable?
Your help seems as uncertain as a seasonal brook,
  like a spring that has gone dry.'

This is how the LORD responds:

'If you return to me, I will restore you
  so you can continue to serve me.
If you speak good words rather than worthless ones,
  you will be my spokesman.
You must influence them;
  do not let them influence you!
They will fight against you like an attacking army,
  but I will make you as secure as a fortified wall of bronze.
They will not conquer you,
  for I am with you to protect and rescue you.
  I, the LORD, have spoken!
Yes, I will certainly keep you safe from these wicked men.
  I will rescue you from their cruel hands.'"

 

Jeremiah may have trusted and obeyed God at one point, but right now he's accusing God of being unreliable. God tells him the past doesn't count; he has to return to God and trust right now, this moment. Only then will God fulfill his promise to strengthen and deliver him. Jeremiah was being influenced by others and feeling self-pity because he was not trusting God in the moment. Our choice is always: Will we trust God right now? Trust two minutes ago won't help us now. It's got to be moment-by-moment trust.