Seeking God in Troubling Times

**Scripture Focus: Jeremiah 21:2 (KJV)**

"Enquire, I pray thee, of the LORD for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon maketh war against us; if so be that the LORD will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may go up from us."

In the book of Jeremiah, we find ourselves in a tumultuous time for the people of Judah. King Zedekiah has experienced the threat of invasion from Nebuchadrezzar, King of Babylon, and it has caused great fear among the people. They turn to Jeremiah and ask him to seek the Lord on their behalf. This plea reflects not just a moment of desperation, but a deep-seated understanding of what it means to turn to God in the midst of terrifying circumstances.

In this verse, we witness an essential human reaction to crises: the need to seek divine guidance when facing overwhelming trials. There is an acknowledgment that human resources, political maneuvering, and alliances with other nations cannot save them from the impending doom; only the LORD can intervene. The urgency of their inquiry illustrates a profound truth: when calamity looms, the first response must be prayer.

**Enquiry and Prayer**

"Enquire, I pray thee, of the LORD for us..."

This opening line strikes a chord in our hearts, reminding us of the significance of prayer in our lives. It serves as a call to recognize the authority and power of God in our circumstances. The people were not just asking Jeremiah to pray as a ritual act; they were pleading for genuine communication with the Almighty. Here, we learn the importance of approaching God humbly and sincerely, craving a word from Him in times of chaos.

Whether it's a job loss, health crisis, relational strain, or even the fear of world events, we, too, must make it our priority to "enquire of the LORD". In our personal lives, how often do we think about turning to God as our first resource instead of a last resort? The truth is, God longs to hear from His children, and our earnest prayers invite His wondrous works among us.

**The Wondrous Works of God**

"...if so be that the LORD will deal with us according to all his wondrous works..."

The people of Judah remembered how God had intervened in the past—through miraculous acts, divine providence, and His unyielding faithfulness. They expressed hope that God would exhibit His wondrous works once more. This is a powerful reflection for us today; we serve a God who has not changed. He is still at work, still performing wonders in the midst of despair.

Throughout history, God has brought deliverance to His people, whether it was through parting the Red Sea, allowing Gideon to win against overwhelming odds, or raising Jesus from the dead. Our own lives are filled with reminders of personal miracles—sheltering us from disasters, restoring broken relationships, and providing for needs in extraordinary ways. Like the people of Judah, we should remind ourselves of God's past faithfulness to boost our faith in His ability to intervene now.

**Acknowledging God’s Sovereignty**

"...that he may go up from us."

This closing thought conveys a powerful understanding: to have God act on their behalf, they must recognize His sovereignty. It acknowledges that their ultimate hope was not merely for him to act but for His presence to return to them in peace.

In our prayers, it is vital to submit to God’s will and acknowledge that He knows what is best for us. We learn that asking God to intervene should come from a heart willing to accept His plan, not just our desire to be rescued. It is in these moments of acquiescence that we find true peace, knowing that an all-knowing God is in control.

**Reflective Actions**

As we meditate on Jeremiah 21:2, let us adopt a posture of seeking God in all our anxieties and fears, reminding ourselves of His past deeds, and submitting our requests with open hearts. Let us turn our troubles into prayers, remembering that our God is not distant but deeply involved in the lives of those who earnestly seek Him. May we grow in the habit of prayer, seeking not just answers but a closer relationship with the One who can transform our trials into testimonies.

In times of trouble, remember: to enquire of the LORD is the first step towards experiencing His sovereign grace and miraculous works.

Artwork for Jeremiah 21:2

Jeremiah 21:2 - "Enquire, I pray thee, of the LORD for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon maketh war against us; if so be that the LORD will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may go up from us."

"Enquire, I pray thee, of the LORD for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon maketh war against us; if so be that the LORD will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may go up from us." - Jeremiah 21:2

Jeremiah 2:21 - "Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?"

Jeremiah 21:3 - "¶ Then said Jeremiah unto them, Thus shall ye say to Zedekiah:"

2 Chronicles 36:21 - "To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years."

Jeremiah 25:21 - "Edom, and Moab, and the children of Ammon,"

Jeremiah 2:21 Yet I had planted you a noble vine, a seed of highest quality. How then have you turned before Me Into the degenerate plant of an alien vine?

Jeremiah 37:21 - "Then Zedekiah the king commanded that they should commit Jeremiah into the court of the prison, and that they should give him daily a piece of bread out of the bakers' street, until all the bread in the city were spent. Thus Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison."

Jeremiah 38:21 - "But if thou refuse to go forth, this is the word that the LORD hath shewed me:"

Jeremiah 21:11 - "¶ And touching the house of the king of Judah, say, Hear ye the word of the LORD;"

"¶ Then said Jeremiah unto them, Thus shall ye say to Zedekiah:" - Jeremiah 21:3

Jeremiah 4:21 - "How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet?"

Jeremiah 21:1 - "The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, when king Zedekiah sent unto him Pashur the son of Melchiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, saying,"

"Edom, and Moab, and the children of Ammon," - Jeremiah 25:21

Jeremiah 49:21 - "The earth is moved at the noise of their fall, at the cry the noise thereof was heard in the Red sea."

Jeremiah 48:21 - "And judgment is come upon the plain country; upon Holon, and upon Jahazah, and upon Mephaath,"

Jeremiah 23:21 - "I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied."

Jeremiah 15:21 - "And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible."

Jeremiah 10:21 - "For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered."

Jeremiah 17:21 - "Thus saith the LORD; Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem;"

Jeremiah 21:5 - "And I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and with a strong arm, even in anger, and in fury, and in great wrath."

Jeremiah 51:21 - "And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider;"

Jeremiah 5:21 - "Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:"

Jeremiah 7:21 - "¶ Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Put your burnt offerings unto your sacrifices, and eat flesh."

Jeremiah 8:21 - "For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me."

2 Kings 2:21

Jeremiah 27:21 - "Yea, thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning the vessels that remain in the house of the LORD, and in the house of the king of Judah and of Jerusalem;"

Jeremiah 3:21 - "A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, and they have forgotten the LORD their God."

Jeremiah 14:21 - "Do not abhor us, for thy name's sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us."

Jeremiah 21:8 - "¶ And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death."