Can We Run with the Horses? Jeremiah 12:5, Psalm 37

The prophet Jeremiah preaches against the backdrop of unjust and unrepentant attitudes. The loyal covenant-keeping people were being victimized by ruthless powerbrokers. Jeremiah, seeking clarity, approaches God and wonders aloud, "Why do the wicked prosper?" Jeremiah's question reverberates across time (Psalm 37), and even into the modern century.

We struggle with questions of power relations, where the rich seem to get richer, the poor even poorer.

God queries the prophet: "If racing against mere men makes you tired, how will you race against horses? If you stumble and fall on open ground, what will you do in the thickets near Jordan?" (Jeremiah 12:5 NL)

God poses the same questions to us today.

I see three things the text reminds us:

One, it's a race. Paul asks, "Do you not know that of those who run in a race, all of them are certainly runners, but only one achieves the prize?" (I Corinthians 9:24)

'Run' is mentioned 28x in scripture, often as escape from danger. But its most salient application represents spiritual zeal. Both languages (Hebrew and Greek) signify 'executing or running toward (not backwards) toward the mission'.

It's an obstacle course called life and it's a race we must run.

Two, It's a thicket. A thicket is a thick or dense growth of shrubs, bushes or small trees. A thicket in the Bible represents opposition, resistance to change and entrapment.

There are thicket people in the world, people with ulterior motives.

These are thicket times where there is abuse of power, moral bankruptcy and justice appears tattered.

There are thicket ideas abounding: invading sovereignties, cuts in USAID resulting in at least 600,000 deaths around the globe.

Three, we have already won the prize as believers. The race is strenuous; the thicket is despairing - but we are winners! Why?

Because we run on authority (Luke 10:19).

Because we run on purpose and aim (Micah 6:8).

Because we run on power (Matthew 28:19).

Yes! We can run with the horses! The horses may appear stronger, swifter and more powerful than the footmen, but Christ has already conquered the race.

Amen.

Reach Pastor C: info@pastorwericcroomes.com