Jeremiah 30:10-11 - Homiletics

Fear not.

I. WHY ISRAEL MIGHT FEAR . For various reasons, viz.:

1 . Present trouble. Already some had been led into exile. What was thus experienced seemed to presage future and worse distress. Grief tends to despondency. In disappointment we are ready to think that all things must grow worse and worse.

2 . The anticipation of necessary punishment. This is confirmed in the prophetic message—'' for I cannot leave thee altogether unpunished." Guilt is the parent of fear. "Conscience makes cowards of us all."

3 . Incurable wretchedness. ( Jeremiah 30:12 .) Left to themselves, the people were in a hopeless condition.

4 . Solitude. "All thy lovers have forgotten thee" ( Jeremiah 30:14 ). In the hour of trial boon companions fall away and leave their wretched comrade forlorn and helpless. The soul must face its darkest trouble alone. While society dispels fear, the silence and desertion of loneliness provoke it. It is not surprising, therefore, that with so many concurrent incentives to fear Israel should be overwhelmed with it, nor is it surprising that similar causes should produce a similar effect among us. Yet it is not the less deplorable. Fear is an evil. It is distressing beyond measure. The vague and threatening spectres of horror that haunt the imagination of the soul when it is a slave to fear may be far more painful than the real evils of which they are the magnified shadows.. But fear is injurious as well as painful. It paralyzes effort, dissuades from dangerous tasks of duty, drives to rash and foolish resorts for escape. It is important to see if so sad and injurious a condition can be avoided.

II. WHY ISRAEL SHOULD NOT FEAR . For various reasons, viz.:

1 . The security of God's service. Israel was God's servant. It is reasonable to suppose that God will protect and save those whom he honours with his name and calls to his work.

2 . The promise of ultimate deliverance. "Lo, I will save thee from afar," etc. Fear may threaten now, but rest and quietude will come in the future. Fear must be overcome by hope, the darkness of the near future triumphed over by the exceeding brightness of the greater future. We shall not fear what the world can do against us when we live in the hope of what eternity will do for us. Looking at ourselves, we see our wounds incurable, and we despair; looking at the good Physician, we see the promise of health, and we hope.

3 . The assurance of the presence of God. "For I am with thee." Thus Abraham was not to fear because God was his "Shield, and exceeding great Reward' ( Genesis 15:1 ); and David could say, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me" ( Psalms 23:4 ). When hope fails faith may yet be strong. Better than the vision of the future haven far over the waves are the strong hand and sure eye of the pilot with us in the storm. When the hope of heaven fails faith in God may still sustain us.

4 . A knowledge of the limitation and good purpose of suffering. This is