It’s as if God saw Jeremiah doubled over in exhaustion after finishing ten seconds behind the lead runners in a 1500-meter race. Rather than handing him a Gatorade and a word of encouragement, God has a question for him: “If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses?” (v 5a). This was God’s way of saying, “Jeremiah, you haven’t seen anything yet. The troubles of today are nothing compared to the troubles ahead. You feel defeated because some have opposed you, but just wait until you’re up against some real thoroughbreds—it will be no contest! Persevere through these minor trials; I’m conditioning you for greater tests.” The previous chapter ended with intrigue. Jeremiah’s enemies were plotting his assassination. Men from his hometown had “devised schemes” against him because of his bold preaching. “Do not prophecy in the name of the LORD, or you will die by our hand,” they said. God revealed this conspiracy to Jeremiah and promised they would fall under His judgment (11:18-23). But rather than quietly accepting this verdict, Jeremiah files a complaint at the start of chapter 12. Though committed to the LORD, he’s frustrated by God’s way of doing things. “Why does the way of the wicked prosper?” he asks. In other words, why does God allow good things to happen to bad people? Why doesn’t their judgment come sooner rather than later? (v 1-4). God doesn’t always answer our questions, and when He does, the answers often end with question marks. “Jeremiah, if you’re tired now, how will you keep up with real challenges? If you stumble on easy terrain, how will you possibly cope with a thick, lion-infested jungle?” To fulfill our divine callings, we cannot quit now! God will give us the strength to keep pace (v 5-6). And He understands our sufferings. No matter what we go through, God has been through worse. Because He loves us, our sins are painful to Him; they wound His heart. Judah has rejected Him, so the LORD will let His beloved reap the consequences of her sin that she might return to Him in love (v 7-9). He had planted His people like a vineyard in paradise, but soon an enemy will attack, and the Promised Land will become a wasteland (v 10-13). Then unexpectedly, Jeremiah announces a word of grace, a promise of God’s salvation: the wasteland will be renewed; paradise will be restored! Israel will be brought back from her captivity. And even pagan nations will join in the blessing of the LORD, if they confess their faith in the one true God (v 14-17). For further meditation: