Jeremiah’s Struggle: Finding Strength to Keep Going

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace God's Call Even When You Feel Like Quitting

God’s call on your life may sometimes feel overwhelming, misunderstood, or even fruitless, but just as Jeremiah struggled with discouragement and wanted to give up, the call of God remained persistent within him. Even when he tried to walk away, God’s word was like a fire shut up in his bones, compelling him to continue. You may not have the same calling as Jeremiah, but every believer is called to be a witness and to serve faithfully, even when results are unseen or opposition is fierce. Don’t run from what God has placed in your heart; instead, embrace it, knowing that true peace and purpose are found in obedience to His call, not in the ease of the journey. [21:51]

Jeremiah 20:7-9 (NKJV)
O Lord, You induced me, and I was persuaded;
You are stronger than I, and have prevailed.
I am in derision daily;
Everyone mocks me.
For when I spoke, I cried out;
I shouted, “Violence and plunder!”
Because the word of the Lord was made to me
A reproach and a derision daily.
Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him,
Nor speak any more in His name.”
But His word was in my heart like a burning fire
Shut up in my bones;
I was weary of holding it back,
And I could not.

Reflection: Is there an area where you’ve been tempted to give up on God’s call because you don’t see results? What would it look like to say “yes” to Him again today, even if you don’t feel like it?

Day 2: Let God Be Your Refuge in the Midst of Opposition

When you face criticism, misunderstanding, or even betrayal from those closest to you, remember that God is your mighty defender and refuge. Jeremiah was mocked, slandered, and even physically abused for faithfully delivering God’s message, yet he ultimately found strength in knowing that the Lord was with him as a mighty warrior. Trusting God as your refuge means relying on His presence and protection, even when you feel alone or under attack, and believing that He will fight your battles and vindicate your faithfulness in His time. [31:05]

Jeremiah 20:10-13 (NKJV)
For I heard many mocking:
“Fear on every side!”
“Report,” they say, “and we will report it!”
All my acquaintances watched for my stumbling, saying,
“Perhaps he can be induced;
Then we will prevail against him,
And we will take our revenge on him.”
But the Lord is with me as a mighty, awesome One.
Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not prevail.
They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not prosper.
Their everlasting confusion will never be forgotten.
But, O Lord of hosts,
You who test the righteous,
And see the mind and heart,
Let me see Your vengeance on them;
For I have pleaded my cause before You.
Sing to the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
For He has delivered the life of the poor
From the hand of evildoers.

Reflection: Who or what has been your source of refuge when you’ve faced opposition? How can you intentionally turn to God as your refuge and strength in a specific challenge you’re facing right now?

Day 3: Be Faithful Even When You Don’t See the Fruit

There are seasons when your efforts for God seem to yield no visible results, and you may wonder if your labor is in vain. Jeremiah poured himself out for years with little to show for it, leading him to deep discouragement and even questioning the purpose of his life. Yet, God sees the bigger picture and often works in ways we cannot see or understand in the moment. Your faithfulness matters, even when you don’t see immediate fruit—sometimes the seeds you plant take time to grow, and God’s purposes are being fulfilled beyond your sight. [44:47]

Jeremiah 20:14, 18 (NKJV)
Cursed be the day in which I was born!
Let the day not be blessed in which my mother bore me!
…
Why did I come forth from the womb to see labor and sorrow,
That my days should be consumed with shame?

Reflection: Think of a situation where you’ve been serving or loving others without seeing any change—how might God be working behind the scenes, and what would it look like to trust Him with the results today?

Day 4: Live by God’s Truth, Not Your Feelings

Emotions can swing wildly, especially when you’re discouraged or exhausted, but God calls you to live and serve based on His truth and His call, not on how you feel in the moment. Jeremiah’s journey shows that even after moments of praise and trust, despair can return, yet God’s truth remains steady. When you don’t feel like continuing, remember that faithfulness is not measured by your feelings but by your obedience to God’s word and His leading. [45:52]

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)
For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Reflection: When have your feelings tempted you to give up or pull back from what God has called you to do? What truth from God’s word can you hold onto today to keep you moving forward in faith?

Day 5: Your Quiet Faithfulness Matters More Than You Know

The story of Jonas reminds us that simple, behind-the-scenes faithfulness—showing kindness, praying for others, and living out your faith—can have a profound impact, even when it seems unnoticed. God uses your ordinary acts of obedience to plant seeds in the lives of others, and sometimes the fruit appears in unexpected ways and at unexpected times. Don’t underestimate the value of your daily faithfulness; God is working through you, and your perseverance may be the very thing that brings hope to someone else. [49:55]

Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Reflection: Who is one person you can encourage or serve quietly today, trusting that God can use even your smallest act of faithfulness for His purposes?

Sermon Summary

Have you ever felt like giving up, not just on a job or a task, but on serving God Himself? That’s a place Jeremiah found himself—tired, frustrated, and feeling like all his efforts were fruitless. We began with the story of Jonas, a man who quietly served others, showing up early, helping the overlooked, and praying for those around him. Yet, after years of faithfulness, he saw little to no visible fruit. His story echoes the experience of Jeremiah, who poured himself out for God’s people, only to be mocked, rejected, and even physically abused for his obedience.

Jeremiah’s struggle was not just with the people’s response, but with God’s call itself. He felt as if God had over-promised and under-delivered, luring him into a life of pain and ridicule. In his despair, Jeremiah even accused God of overpowering him, and he reached a point where he wanted to quit—“I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name.” But God’s word was like a fire in his bones; he could not hold it in, no matter how much he wanted to. This is a profound reminder that God’s call is not always comfortable, but it is inescapable for those He has chosen.

We are all called, in some way, to be witnesses for Christ. The call may not look the same for everyone, but the command to share the good news and serve others is universal. The challenge is to embrace that call, even when it feels thankless or when opposition comes from unexpected places—even friends and family. Jeremiah’s experience teaches us that God is our refuge in the midst of opposition. Even when emotions are raw and faith feels weak, God’s presence is our strength, and He is the one who ultimately fights our battles.

Yet, even after moments of trust and praise, Jeremiah’s emotions swung back to despair. He cursed the day of his birth, unable to see any purpose in his suffering. This honest wrestling shows us that faith is not a straight line from despair to delight. Our emotions may fluctuate, but God’s truth and call remain steady. Sometimes, we simply cannot see the fruit of our labor or the purpose in our pain. Like Jonas, we may only get a small spark of encouragement, but that is often enough to keep going.

So, don’t live by your feelings. Live by God’s truth and the call He has placed on your life. Be faithful, even when you don’t see results. Trust that God is working, even in the silence and the waiting. Don’t give up—press in, embrace the call, and keep serving.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s call persists despite our discouragement God’s calling is not always comfortable or easy to bear. Like Jeremiah, we may feel overwhelmed, misunderstood, or even deceived by the weight of what God asks of us. Yet, the call remains, burning within us, compelling us to continue even when we want to quit. Faithfulness is not measured by our feelings, but by our willingness to keep saying yes to God. [17:11]
2. Opposition is inevitable, but God is our refuge Serving God will often bring opposition, sometimes from those closest to us. Jeremiah faced ridicule, betrayal, and even violence, yet he learned to trust God as his mighty warrior and refuge. Our security and courage do not come from the absence of conflict, but from the presence of God who stands with us and fights for us. [30:17]
3. Faithfulness is not always accompanied by visible fruit We may labor for years without seeing tangible results, leading to frustration and doubt. Jeremiah’s ministry seemed fruitless, and he questioned the very purpose of his life. Yet, God’s purposes often unfold beyond our sight and timeline. Our role is to be faithful, trusting that God is working in ways we cannot see, and that our obedience is never wasted. [44:47]
4. Emotions fluctuate, but God’s truth remains Jeremiah’s journey shows that faith is not a steady climb from despair to joy. Even after moments of praise, he fell back into deep sorrow. Our emotions are real, but they are not the foundation of our calling or our hope. We must anchor ourselves in God’s truth and continue to serve, even when our hearts are heavy. [40:20]
5. Small encouragements can reignite hope Sometimes, God gives us just a spark—a small sign that our efforts matter. Jonas received a simple text that reminded him his faithfulness was not in vain. These moments may be rare, but they are God’s way of sustaining us for the journey ahead. Don’t underestimate the power of a small encouragement to keep you going. [49:34]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Introducing Jonas’ Story
[01:14] - Quiet Faithfulness and Disappointment
[03:00] - When Serving Feels Pointless
[04:14] - Jeremiah’s Deep Despair
[06:29] - Three Ways to Stay the Course
[07:08] - Jeremiah’s Relentless Call
[09:39] - Jeremiah’s Complaint to God
[12:40] - Mockery and Rejection
[16:35] - Jeremiah Tries to Quit
[17:11] - God’s Word Burns Within
[21:51] - The Universal Call to Witness
[27:16] - Let God Be Your Refuge
[30:17] - God as Mighty Warrior
[37:19] - When Purpose Feels Elusive
[40:20] - Wrestling with Emotions
[44:47] - Trusting God Beyond What We See
[47:23] - Jonas’ Encouragement
[50:24] - Don’t Give Up
[50:49] - Press In and Embrace the Call

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Jeremiah 20:7-18 (NKJV) —
> 7 O Lord, You induced me, and I was persuaded;
> You are stronger than I, and have prevailed.
> I am in derision daily;
> Everyone mocks me.
> 8 For when I spoke, I cried out;
> I shouted, “Violence and plunder!”
> Because the word of the Lord was made to me
> A reproach and a derision daily.
> 9 Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him,
> Nor speak any more in His name.”
> But His word was in my heart like a burning fire
> Shut up in my bones;
> I was weary of holding it back,
> And I could not.
> 10 For I heard many mocking:
> “Fear on every side!”
> “Report,” they say, “and we will report it!”
> All my acquaintances watched for my stumbling, saying,
> “Perhaps he can be induced;
> Then we will prevail against him,
> And we will take our revenge on him.”
> 11 But the Lord is with me as a mighty, awesome One.
> Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not prevail.
> They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not prosper.
> Their everlasting confusion will never be forgotten.
> 12 But, O Lord of hosts,
> You who test the righteous,
> And see the mind and heart,
> Let me see Your vengeance on them;
> For I have pleaded my cause before You.
> 13 Sing to the Lord!
> Praise the Lord!
> For He has delivered the life of the poor
> From the hand of evildoers.
> 14 Cursed be the day in which I was born!
> Let the day not be blessed in which my mother bore me!
> 15 Let the man be cursed
> Who brought news to my father, saying,
> “A male child has been born to you!”
> Making him very glad.
> 16 And let that man be like the cities
> Which the Lord overthrew, and did not relent;
> Let him hear the cry in the morning
> And the shouting at noon,
> 17 Because he did not kill me from the womb,
> That my mother might have been my grave,
> And her womb always enlarged with me.
> 18 Why did I come forth from the womb to see labor and sorrow,
> That my days should be consumed with shame?

Observation Questions

What emotions does Jeremiah express toward God in verses 7-9, and how does he describe his experience of God’s call?
According to the passage, what kind of opposition did Jeremiah face, and from whom did it come?
In verse 9, what does Jeremiah say about trying to stop speaking God’s word? What was the result?
After Jeremiah praises God in verse 13, how do his emotions shift in verses 14-18?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jeremiah felt as if God had “over-promised and under-delivered” regarding his calling? What does this reveal about his relationship with God?
How does Jeremiah’s experience show that faithfulness to God does not always lead to visible results or appreciation from others?
What does it mean that God’s word was like a “burning fire” in Jeremiah’s bones? Why couldn’t he keep silent, even when he wanted to quit?
Jeremiah’s emotions swing from trust and praise to deep despair. What does this teach us about the nature of faith and emotional struggle in the Christian life?

Application Questions

Have you ever felt like giving up on serving God because you saw little or no fruit from your efforts? What did you do in that season, and what helped you keep going (or what would have helped)?
Jeremiah faced opposition not just from strangers, but from people close to him. Have you ever experienced pushback or misunderstanding from friends or family because of your faith or service? How did you respond?
The sermon said, “Don’t live by your feelings. Live by God’s truth and the call He has placed on your life.” What are some practical ways you can anchor yourself in God’s truth when your emotions are all over the place?
Jeremiah’s calling was inescapable—he couldn’t keep God’s word inside, even when he wanted to quit. Is there something you feel God is calling you to do that you’ve been resisting? What would it look like to say “yes” to God this week?
The story of Jonas showed that sometimes a small encouragement can reignite hope. Can you remember a time when a simple word or gesture kept you going in your faith? How can you be that encouragement for someone else this week?
The sermon mentioned that faithfulness is not measured by feelings, but by our willingness to keep saying yes to God. What is one area of your life where you need to keep saying yes, even if you don’t see results right now?
When you feel like your efforts are pointless or unseen, how can you remind yourself that God is still working, even in the silence and waiting?

Sermon Clips

You know, sometimes I believe we have this mindset as Christians that read the word that the men who wrote the Bible, the people in the Bible, never had problems. That they never had struggles. Friends, yes, they did. That's exactly, Jeremiah here is struggling with what God has called him to do and what it means for his life. Jeremiah struggled. Friends, Moses struggled. David struggled. They all struggled. Amen? So when you struggle in your Christian walk, get this, you're not alone. [00:14:21] (42 seconds) #BurningFireWithin

Jeremiah was so depressed, he was so distraught, that he tried to repress his call and quit conveying what God was telling him to say. And he just decided, you know what? I'm going to quit being a prophet. But here's the deal. God wouldn't let him. Look at the rest of verse 9. He says here, but, but, however, right? His word was in my heart like a burning fire. [00:16:51] (35 seconds) #EmbraceYourCalling

Friends, when we realize the significance of the gospel and what Christ has done for us, and we realize the magnitude of our sin individually and each and every one of us, and that that sin destines us to hell, and the only salvation possible for us is in Jesus Christ, how can we keep that to ourselves? His word, Jeremiah said, was in my heart like a burning fire. Shut up in my bones. I was weary of holding it back. [00:19:17] (33 seconds) #TrustGodInOpposition

He tried to hold it back, but he could not. It was kind of like floodwaters rushing downstream that no one could stop. And so, because in his bones God had placed his word, and God's call was so specific to him, Jeremiah continued to prophesy. He continued to proclaim the word of the Lord. Here's the deal. Even though that was not what he felt like doing. I want you to make sure you understand that. He kept on doing it, even though that's not what he felt like. [00:20:59] (43 seconds) #GodIsWithMe

Embrace the call. Not just to salvation. Some of you are still wrestling with that. Not just to salvation, but embrace the call to serve him with your life. To give your life up to the Lord for his service. You'll never be happier. I'm not saying it's going to be easy. Okay? But that's the only place we need to be. [00:26:53] (22 seconds) #LiveByTruthNotFeelings

Jeremiah praises the Lord here because he knows that God is the one who fights his battles. Yahweh is the one who has given him the word to proclaim, and he is the one who will protect him from any who seek to do him harm. And so Jeremiah was willing to stand strong in the midst of the attacks because he knew God was with him. [00:33:12] (29 seconds)

You don't have to be a theologian to tell somebody about Jesus. Let me give you a hint. You don't even have to be a Bible expert to tell somebody about Jesus. You know what you have to have to tell somebody about Jesus? Jesus! That's all you got to have. And he's equipping you to tell others about him. Listen, tell others what Christ has done for you. Amen? [00:35:50] (26 seconds)

But the truth is, friends, that I believe this totally fits with Jeremiah's up and down nature. And the truth is, it even fits with ours. We don't always so easily move from despair and discouragement and depression to delight and trust and just stay there, do we? Our emotions, like Jeremiah's, are often up and down. Even when we know the truth, sometimes our emotions are still all over the board. And listen, that's why you should never live on your feelings or your emotions. You live on God's truth. [00:39:37] (47 seconds)

Friends, sometimes when we're serving the Lord, we just don't understand. We don't understand why there's no fruit. Why wouldn't God want me to be fruitful? Or why would God allow me to just spin my wheels? Sometimes, friends, it just doesn't make sense to us. Why would God let me put in so much effort with no progress? God, let me at least see that person that I've been reaching out to show some kind of interest in you. [00:43:36] (40 seconds)

So here's a huge lesson. You may be miserable. But you being miserable, or you not feeling like doing something, or you not enjoying it, or you not being happy about it, is not necessarily a bad sign, and it is not necessarily a sign for you to quit, or to stop, or to run, or escape what God has called you to do. It could mean, like Jeremiah, that you are exactly where you need to be. [00:46:19] (43 seconds)

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