The Deep Anguish of God

06/23/21 • 14 min

The prophetic books are intense, so it’s easy to skip ahead to more comfortable portions of the Bible. But Jesus often used the prophets’ words to describe what he was all about. So if we want to know Jesus, we need to read the prophets. And as we do, we can learn that when God’s people reject him, they are rejecting life itself. The disorder, chaos, and suffering that results is painful and it grieves God. But there is hope that God’s people can return to the life that he offers.

Bible Reading

Jeremiah 4:16-28

Reflection Questions

1. Imagine the power of the moment when God spoke, “let there be light” and said it was good. What is one way you’ve experienced God’s goodness as you’ve followed his life-giving words?

2. When we reject God’s life-giving words, sooner or later we are left with darkness, chaos, and void. This causes deep anguish. What is one way you have experienced anguish when you or others have rejected God’s words?

3. Take a moment to reflect in prayer. Ask God for one specific way you can respond to his words today. Listen for what he brings to mind.

Want to Go Deeper?

Check out this episode's Reflections Bible Study guide to watch a video and explore more detailed questions for personal study and group discussion. Go to bibleproject.com/study.

Show Credits

Host: Cheree Hayes
Message: Dr. Tim Mackie
Bible Reading: Michelle Jones
Production: Dan Gummel
Theme music: Grant William Harold
Background Music: "Tides" by Some Were at Sea

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Bible Reading

Jeremiah 4:16-28

Reflection Questions

1. Imagine the power of the moment when God spoke, “let there be light” and said it was good. What is one way you’ve experienced God’s goodness as you’ve followed his life-giving words?

3. Take a moment to reflect in prayer. Ask God for one specific way you can respond to his words today. Listen for what he brings to mind.

Want to Go Deeper?

Check out this episode's Reflections Bible Study guide to watch a video and explore more detailed questions for personal study and group discussion. Go to bibleproject.com/study.

Show Credits

Host: Cheree Hayes
Message: Dr. Tim Mackie
Bible Reading: Michelle Jones
Production: Dan Gummel
Theme music: Grant William Harold
Background Music: "Tides" by Some Were at Sea

Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Previous Episode

Wisdom from Sensual Love Poetry?

We all long to be truly seen, known, and loved by God and others. We want to fully give ourselves to these deep relationships. The Song of Songs is about that desire, that dream that imagines the unity of Heaven and Earth. One day this dream will be fully realized, but until then, we have access to unity with Jesus. He invites us into a real and intimate relationship. And in him, we can know a love that cannot be quenched or swept away—a love that can overflow toward others and heal creation.

Bible Reading

Song of Songs 8:6-7

Reflection Questions

1. Think about an inspiring romantic relationship that you’ve witnessed in real life, a movie, or a book. What inspired you most about it?

2. What is one feature of that romance that could give you an example of what it means to be in a relationship with God?

3. What is one thing that might be hindering intimacy in your relationship with God? What is one small step you can take to grow in that area today?

Want to Go Deeper?

Check out this episode's Reflections Bible Study guide to watch a video and explore more detailed questions for personal study and group discussion. Go to bibleproject.com/study.
Show Credits

Host: Cheree Hayes

Message: Dr. Carissa Quinn

Cited: Davis, Ellen. "Reading the Song Iconographically." The Journal of Scriptural Reasoning, 2003.

Production and Bible Reading: Dan Gummel

Theme music: Grant William Harold

Background Music: "A Longing," by Sean Williams

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Next Episode

Learning How to Grieve from Lamentations

The biblical authors of Lamentations and Psalms invite us to express our grief, anger, and sadness to God. But this is hard. It’s so much easier to either avoid pain with numbing distractions or vent out frustrations without ever bringing them to God. But he is patient. He understands how painful our situations are, and he cares and grieves with us. Today, let’s practice grieving with him.

Bible Reading

Lamentations 3:22-33

Reflection Questions

What is one specific area you are grieving right now? Notice the sensations you experience as you think about it and take a moment to express each feeling to God.
Now continue your prayer to God by asking him to show his compassion toward your painful situation.
While you wait on God’s answer to your prayers, imagine giving Jesus the weight of your grief and concerns now. What does it look like as he carries it? What do you imagine him doing to show his compassion in your situation?

Want to Go Deeper?
Check out this episode's Bible study to watch a video and explore more detailed questions for personal study and group discussion. Go to bibleproject.com/study.
Show Credits

Host: Cheree Hayes

Message: Dr. Carissa Quinn

Production and Bible Reading: Dan Gummel

Theme music: Grant William Harold

Background Music: "Fluttering" by Marshall Usinger

Powered and distributed by Simplecast.