Point of No Return

We expect the best from God. For instance, He is infinitely patient. And He is. But He is also much else. He is also infinitely just, and wise, and He knows both the past and the future; the outside and the inside. Some of these can be called “competing qualities,” though never in conflict. We may not know how to resolve apparent conflicts, but He is able to be true in the perfection of all His attributes at all times, in every situation.

It is a bit of shock to us when we read the Lord’s instructions to Jeremiah, the prophet: “As for you, do not pray for this people, and do not lift up cry or prayer for them, and do not intercede with Me; for I do not hear you.” (Jeremiah 7:16 NAS95) You can read other translations if you want. They say the same thing. God is saying, “Don’t bother.” “Don’t waste your energy.” “Don’t waste My time.”

It seems as though Israel at this point had reached a point of no return. They were confirmed in their stubbornness. They weren’t going to change, at least at this point in their story. God would take them into exile, and they would feel the effect of their abandonment of God. “Don’t ask for a different outcome.” “The die is cast.”

This word from God causes us to ask some questions about Him. It also causes us to ask some questions about ourselves, or others for whom we are concerned. Is God really infinitely patient? Yes, in concert with His plan and purpose, which would remember and restore a fragment of this people, through whom Jesus would come. He is patient in more ways, on more levels, than we know. But what about us, and people like us? Could we come to a point where God would say, “Don’t even bother?” “It’s no use even praying for them.”

I do believe that a person can reach that point. But to be clear, I am not good enough or smart enough to ever make that determination myself. Nor are you. Remember, in the Scripture above, God expressly instructed Jeremiah not to go on praying for the people. God has never told that to me, or you. But again, on the other hand, it is a serious thing to go on thumbing one’s nose in God’s face, consistently rejecting His Word, shaming His honor. It is a tribute to God’s patience that we do not immediately receive the punishment that we deserve. And when we receive a second (or, second-hundred) chance, we should glory in His mercy and grace.

With regard to our prayers, we are on much safer ground to say with Samuel, “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way.” (1 Samuel 12:23 NAS95)