Jeremiah was not a happy or joyful prophet. He was reluctant from the start, and as his ministry unfolded, we can see why. He was constantly opposed - and more than that, those in power actually tried to have him killed. There was not much cause for rejoicing, and he even tried to quit a couple of times, but the Spirit of God in him would not leave him in peace. In his lament about the plot against his life, he reaffirmed his trust in God. Alone he could not accomplish his mission, but with God all things were possible. We should remember this when we feel discouraged, especially when we are doing God's work. It's not about us; it's all about God.

Jesus met the same sort of resistance in his ministry. It must have been discouraging and disheartening to face such unbelief and hardheartedness - and he would probably feel the same way today about the attitudes of many Christians. He challenged people to look at his record - the things that he was doing, which only God could do - and then make their decision. We can examine our own lives and those of others: do they bear the marks of Jesus and his compassionate power? What sort of presence has Jesus graced us with? What difference has He made? Jesus cannot be 'figured out' or analyzed; He can only be accepted and experienced.