From God’s Perspective :: Jeremiah 20:11-13

On January 3, 1993, the Buffalo Bills were playing a terrible game of football against the Houston Oilers. In the third quarter the score was 35-3, and the game might as well have been over. A Houston radio announcer made the now famous statement, “The lights are on here at Rich Stadium; they’ve been on since this morning; you could pretty much turn them out on the Bills right now.” But suddenly a different Bills team took to the field, and when they beat the Oilers 38-35, one of the most improbable games in NFL history was recorded. That twist of fate so immortalized the game that it is known today simply as “The Comeback.”

One could argue that the Bills stole their script from Jeremiah 20. Between verses 10 and 11, Jeremiah underwent a 180-degree perspective shift. His gut-wrenching diatribe became a beautiful song of praise in one of Scripture’s most compelling transformations. Sometimes in the midst of our most dire circumstances, something amazing happens—worship. Only God can fully understand our struggles and seemingly impossible circumstances. He knows our pains, frustrations, and doubts, and He prefers our shouts of emotion over silence and withdrawal. When we allow God to be part of our most vulnerable moments, worship comes naturally.

If you take away nothing else from this account of Jeremiah’s discouragement, know this: Never give up on conversations with God. Prayer isn’t about impressing Him or stringing together the right set of words to get what you want. Prayer is an ongoing dialogue with a listening God who wants to walk with you through life’s messiness. If honesty characterizes your prayers, then before you know it your sobs of deception will be transformed into shouts of surrender and praise.

What’s your greatest fear about being open and honest with God?

This week, what situations moved you to worship God? In what situations might you have benefitted from worshiping Him?