Forbidden Faithნიმუში

Jeremiah – Imprisoned for his faith

So they took Jeremiah and put him into the cistern of Malkijah, the king’s son, which was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered Jeremiah by ropes into the cistern; it had no water in it, only mud, and Jeremiah sank down into the mud. (Jeremiah 38:6 NIV)

Jeremiah’s life was never easy. God appointed him to be a prophet from before he was born, and Jeremiah was probably about seventeen when he began his life’s work. His family opposed him, and as he became involved in political matters and spoke out God’s words, he came under further attack. But no matter what life threw at him, this faithful prophet was determined to obey the Lord and deliver His messages, however hard that was.

Tens of thousands of people today suffer because of their religion or belief. Some are shut away from the daylight, deprived of human company, badly treated and left there for years. Imagine the anguish of their families and friends, perhaps not knowing where they are and powerless to bring any relief.

Place yourself in the position of the prisoners – ‘Whatever will happen to me?’ ‘Is there no hope?’ ‘How can I stay sane and not give in to despair?’ Thank God that He knows each one, and ask Him to show us how to reach out to these men and women effectively through praying and putting pressure on their captors.

Jeremiah was thrown into a dungeon, then given some respite and allowed to live in the prison courtyard and be fed. However, when his enemies learned that he had prophesied Jerusalem’s downfall, they persuaded King Zedekiah to put him into Malkijah’s cistern. This meant a slow death, drowning horribly in the soft mud at the bottom of this deep well whose narrow neck shut out most of the light.

The story of how Jeremiah kept his faith and shared it courageously with others reminds us of others undergoing severe persecution because of their faith. Perhaps your own life is a prison; although not literally behind bars you feel walled in by depression, an abusive relationship you cannot escape or the pain and suffering of illness or injury. In situations like these, it is difficult to find God – but He is nearer than you may think. Psalm 40:2 says, ‘He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand’. Help is at hand, He is ready to hear us.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please be near people who are in prison today and give them comfort and hope. Stretch out Your hand to rescue and heal. Amen.