Inspired to Fear

The verse that I want to share with you today is from Jeremiah 32, “Jeremiah Buys A Field.”

Last Sunday, for no particular reason, I decided to look at property listings shared by realtors and friends on Facebook. Although I knew that what I have in the bank is not enough to buy anything right then and there, I still decided to browse through the listings to canvass and check out the ones that I find lovely and suitable for my mom and me.

And true enough, nothing that I found lovely and suitable for us was anywhere close to what I can afford right now. So, with a heavy heart, I decided to go out and have lunch with my mom instead. We went to this Vietnamese place near Marikina where we had chicken pho, banh mi, Vietnamese pancake and her favorite, steamed vegetable rolls. I decided to treat my mom every time I get my pay because as she had just turned 60 this year (what a time to be alive!), without a husband, and me to keep her company most of the time, it’s the most sensible and responsible thing I can do to make the most of our situation. Not to mention, we both love checking out plants to add to her growing collection. That said, I tried to distract myself from my somewhat “expected” disappointment earlier that day.

So I’m glad that I came across this verse and entire chapter this morning because I thought the title was related to my sentiments over the weekend. But of course, Jeremiah’s story is different from what I was going through… or is it?

In chapter 32, we see how Jeremiah was instructed by God to buy a field worth 17 shekels of silver. During Biblical times, a shekel was enough for the subsistence of a small family for about a week or two. Interestingly, Jeremiah had saved up quite a lot, so when the Lord instructed him to buy a field, without any hesitation, he bought it from his cousin Hanamel on the premise of his duty to the family and birthright.

Now in his obedience, Jeremiah prayed to the Lord as seen in verses 17 to 25, glorifying God and then asking Him to reveal His purpose for His instruction to buy a field in a land that has been destroyed and laid into waste by the enemy.

And God responded, revealing the reason for His instruction to Jeremiah in verses 27 to 41.

There were two things that I deeply appreciated in this chapter:

(1) Jeremiah obeyed God’s instruction without any doubt and then communed with God to seek His purpose behind the instruction (not the other way around); and

(2) God’s plan reflects His providential and sovereign nature, “working for the good of His people.”

This leads me to this question: When God tells us to do something, are we quick to obey in faith and trust like Jeremiah? Or do we try to make sense of everything first before we follow His instructions?

Dear Lord, thank you for revealing your Word in my life in ways that I can deeply and sufficiently relate. Truly, just like what Jeremiah had said in his prayer, “Nothing is too hard for you,” and “great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to the ways of all mankind.” Thank you for reminding me that in obedience, I am exercising my faith and in doubt, my unbelief. Help me to guard my heart against this sin. And let my decisions follow the path you have laid out for me in faith, inspiring me to fear you more in your unfailing and perfect love for all of us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.