Something for Nothing - What a Deal

Years ago, McDonald's had a commercial on TV in which they were attempting to convince us of the necessity of stopping at their fast food restaurant to eat. They had a phrase that many of us remember and have even used in a variety of situations; "you deserve a break today." Now, when a person thinks about that phrase, the question ought to come to mind, "how do they know?" In addition, what criteria did they use to prove that I indeed needed a break today? What makes me so special that I “deserve a break today.”

While purchasing a vacuum sometime back, replacing a worn out one, the owner was wondering why I didn't buy the most expensive one that was there. I had to agree with him that was probably the best vacuum in the store, but our budget did not allow for that. As I walked out of the store with a lesser model, as well as a lower price, the owner commented, in jest, "you deserve the best, don't you?" To which I replied, "when you put it that way, I really don't." I , wonder how grace fit into the scheme of vacuums.

As God’s children, be thankful that we get what we don’t deserve.

Jeremiah deals with some issues of the Israelites, in particular, receiving from God special blessings that they certainly did not deserve.

God Is Righteous Even When We Don’t Understand. - 12.1-4

Jeremiah 12:1–4 (NASB95)

Righteous are You, O Lord, that I would plead my case with You; Indeed I would discuss matters of justice with You: Why has the way of the wicked prospered? Why are all those who deal in treachery at ease? You have planted them, they have also taken root; They grow, they have even produced fruit. You are near to their lips But far from their mind. But You know me, O Lord; You see me; And You examine my heart’s attitude toward You. Drag them off like sheep for the slaughter And set them apart for a day of carnage! How long is the land to mourn And the vegetation of the countryside to wither? For the wickedness of those who dwell in it, Animals and birds have been snatched away, Because men have said, “He will not see our latter ending.”

Jeremiah was not unlike many of us. His theology was pretty well in place. He knew a lot about God. You can see this just from the first part of verse one.

Most of us can mentally agree that all Scripture teaches us about God. Just like Jeremiah, however, we come with a lot of questions. Let's reread the last part of verse 1-2. Why has the way of the wicked prospered? Why are all those who deal in treachery at ease? You have planted them, they have taken root; they grow, they have even produced fruit. You are near to their lips, but far from their minds.

Do you ever find yourself asking the same questions? Why is it that the father who does not treat his wife and children well, is so successful in business?

Why is it that those who are not in church, except Christmas and Easter, seem to have life so easy?

Why is it that the mom and dad who follow biblical principles of parenting, have a child who has chosen to rebel?

Why is it that the student who spends countless hours studying, ends up busing tables for a small income, while the student who bums their life away, has all the money they could possibly want?

Why is it that a group of people who love the Lord and want to really make a difference for Jesus Christ have to spend so much time cleaning up from a disaster instead of developing relationships for the cause of Christ?

Do you ever ask yourself any of those questions or something that sounds a bit like that? It is frustrating, not only to us, but we see it with Jeremiah's writing. Jeremiah could see the nation and recognize its spiritual fakery. He knew those people certainly could play the role of a godly person. They could say the right words and wear the right clothes and give of themselves at the right times, but Jeremiah could see through them like onion skin paper. God was not on their heart’s agenda. They were merely using God.

This seems to be why Jeremiah spoke as he did in verses 3–4. Jeremiah wanted vindication. He wanted the scoreboard to be revealed while he was still here on this earth. When people live as if God doesn't see or care, it is perfectly natural to want to play the role of the banker and call the loan. We, like Jeremiah, want to see the accounts settled and everything made right.

Sometimes, you and I must recognize that life indeed is not fair. Sadly, my children have heard this from little on in their young lives. Life indeed is not fair; get used to it. Jesus made a similar statement when he stated, "in this world, you will have trouble."

However, even though life is not fair, God is always righteous. We may think that we are not getting a fair shake. But we need to be reminded that God is always righteous. God will always do what is right. Jesus also promised that He would "never leave us nor forsake us." Even though life may seem incredibly unfair and unjust, God is always righteous, even when we don't understand.

As God's children, we need to be thankful that we actually get what we don't deserve.

God Is Just Even When We Don’t Believe It. - 12.5-13

In this section, Jeremiah receives a response from God. Jeremiah had boldly asked what had been plaguing his mind. At this point, God brings things into perspective.

Basically, God states, if you think times are rough now, you haven't seen anything yet. The troubles and heartaches are just beginning.

Most of us are able to deal with outsiders or pagans since they are doing what is perfectly normal. We can actually expect animosity and antagonism and attacks from unbelievers. What the majority of us struggle with, is when we experience opposition and attacks from ornery believers. Listen to verse six, as Jeremiah speaks of family members and close friends who are against him. Jeremiah 12:6 “For even your brothers and the household of your father, Even they have dealt treacherously with you, Even they have cried aloud after you. Do not believe them, although they may say nice things to you.”

One of the most difficult things in pastoral ministry, and which church leaders also experience, is when there are attacks against God's people by others who also claim to belong to God. Usually, at a certain point in time, there was kindness which seemed to be extended. Suddenly, subtle murmuring began. It is not always backstabbing, but rather pinpricks; almost to see if we bleed, and how we respond. Pricks by a pin cause deflation and a willingness to consider giving up serving the Lord.

If the leader has a harder shell to penetrate, then the murmuring begins to turn into petty attacks on non-ministry issues. "Facts" begin to surface which are not truthful, but rather are designed to undermine by introducing unnecessary questions or comments. Quite often, those attacks are disguised as having spiritual qualities, which simply throws people off course.

If that doesn't work, then a full mortar shell attack is launched. Blatant lies and slander go to work in order to do their ugly job. The Bible is no longer referred to as the source of authority. At this point, sides have been drawn up and a full fledged war has begun. Emotions run high, and God is used simply as a rallying flag; much like the so-called holy wars of the middle ages.

At this point, it is common to ask the question, where is the justice? As my wife would remark to me, "I cannot believe that Christians can treat each other that way!" Believe it or not, this can be very real, and it does happen, even as we see with Jeremiah.

If you recall, Jeremiah had been forewarned of it in the early days of his ministries. But even while being aware of this real possibility, it never makes it easier to accept. I have seen on several occasions how Satan will stop at nothing to get the church to roll over and die so that the cause of Christ will not be advanced. It is not easy to see our own people end up switching camps and fighting Satan's war, while claiming to be part of Christ’s army.

Jeremiah remind us in verses 12 and 13, that there will be a "payday.” Jeremiah 12:12–13 “On all the bare heights in the wilderness Destroyers have come, For a sword of the Lord is devouring From one end of the land even to the other; There is no peace for anyone. “They have sown wheat and have reaped thorns, They have strained themselves to no profit. But be ashamed of your harvest Because of the fierce anger of the Lord.”

You and I would do well to remember this. Even when we don't believe it, the reality is that God is still just. In the New Testament, we read, "vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord."

Remember that you and I deserve justice simply because of our own personal sin. But thank God that we get what we don't deserve.

We have seen so far today that God is righteous. That automatically leads to the realit’s that God is also just. However, now we go into an area that just doesn't seem logical. You and I know that since God is righteous and just, none of us stands a chance. But thanks be to God for the fact that we get what we don't deserve.

God Is Compassionate Even When We Don’t Deserve It. - 12.14-17

Jeremiah 12:14–17 (NASB95)

Thus says the Lord concerning all My wicked neighbors who strike at the inheritance with which I have endowed My people Israel, “Behold I am about to uproot them from their land and will uproot the house of Judah from among them. “And it will come about that after I have uprooted them, I will again have compassion on them; and I will bring them back, each one to his inheritance and each one to his land. “Then if they will really learn the ways of My people, to swear by My name, ‘As the Lord lives,’ even as they taught My people to swear by Baal, they will be built up in the midst of My people. “But if they will not listen, then I will uproot that nation, uproot and destroy it,” declares the Lord.

In this section, Jeremiah is shown that God must first of all uproot Israel. He must do this because he is righteous and full of justice. Yet, God does something that only God would do.

Jeremiah 12:15 “And it will come about that after I have uprooted them, I will again have compassion on them; and I will bring them back, each one to his inheritance and each one to his land.” That's right. God exercises compassion. This is not logical. Judah certainly did not deserve this. If you consider the centuries of grief and heartache that this people have caused God, He certainly would have been justified to wash his hands completely clean of them. However, that is not the way God operates. God is compassionate, even when we don't deserve it.

What is the most obvious form that this compassion took? God was actually going to bring them back to their land which He had given them. They were not going to be required to wander around forever without a home. And the desire of God's heart is seen in the last two verses. He wants them to learn to live by His way. Only at that time, will they experience life as God designed it.

Conclusion

The Bible reminds us that you and I were each born with a heart bent on sinning. No matter how cute, innocent, cuddly, and lovable we may have been as babies, when our will began to go into action, we chose sin.

Because God is righteous, there is no possible way in which we could ever be with God on a permanent basis the way things were.

Because God is just, there is no way that we could get away with our sin without paying a price.

Yet God knew that we could never match His righteousness. God knew that we could never do enough to pay the price to wipe out our sin.

Here is where God's compassion stepped into the picture. God has done for us what we could not do ourselves. He sent his only Son, Jesus Christ, into this world to become a man. He became one of us, so to speak. However, Jesus was and is still God. Therefore, He was and is righteous. He never sinned. He never even thought about sinning. Yet, for Jesus just to live as a man among men was not enough.

The writer of Hebrews tells us that "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins." Because God is just, there had to be the shedding of blood. That was the only possible way to take care of sin. But it could not be the usual animal method. Jesus Christ Himself would have to bleed and die to take away our sins. And He did just that.

But there is still something that you and I must do in order for this to have any effect on our lives. Just like Jeremiah 12.16, there has to be a recognition of who God is and what He's done and a willingness to live for Him. In other words, if you do not know that you would be in heaven when you die, you need to take care of that business right now.

How do you do that? First of all, confess your sins and repent of them. Agree with God that you are a sinner. The reality is, if you disagree with God on this matter, it doesn't change the facts. Remember, He is righteous and just and His decision is final. When you admit that you are a sinner, there comes a genuine sorrow and a desire to live a different life. But you cannot do it on your own.

You need to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, as your Savior. Believing on Him means that you will ask Him to forgive you for your sins, asking Him to take charge of your life, giving you a desire to live for Him. And He will help you live for Him. He will be your Savior.

We can be so thankful that we are able to get what we don't deserve, because of God's grace and mercy.