Sermon 144 Jeremiah's Prayer

Jeremiah 15:15 Remember me, and visit me

Jeremiah's Prayer

This is what we desire and expect from an intimate friend. If he be at a distance, we love that he should remember us; and if there be nothing to prevent, he should visit us. … But if it be desirable to be remembered by our friends, and to enjoy their company and converse; much more for God to remember us with the favour which he beareth unto his people, and to visit us with his salvation! This is the import of the prophet’s prayer.

I. Consider the prophet’s prayer - He offers up two requests, and they are such as every good man would offer. 1. “Remember me”, O Lord! 2. “And visit me”. This implies that where god graciously remembers anyone, he will also visit them. Of the Lord’s visits to his people, it may be observed (1.) They are promised, and he will fulfil his word. (2.) They are free and voluntary, an on our part wholly undeserved: they are what we seek, but cannot claim. If the Lord visits us in answer to prayer, it is not of debt but of grace. (3.) Divine visits are often short and transient. (4.) However short the divine visits are, they are often repeated, and are peculiar to the favourites of heaven. They impart life to our graces, vigour to our services, and comfort to our souls. (5.) They are powerful and influential, always bringing peace and comfort to the soul.

II. Offer a few concluding remarks. 1.Though God hath promised his presence with his people, yet he may for a time withhold the manifestation of it. 2. When God forbears his visits, his people are apt to think that he has forgotten them. They know that they deserve to be rejected, and fear that they are so. This arises from misapprehension of the divine conduct, impatience and unbelief. 3. To be remembered and visited of God is a blessing infinitely to be desired, and those especially who fear they are forgotten by him feel it to be so. 4. Those who desire God’s presence must seek it by earnest prayer.

Some editions conclude with a hymn beginning 'If Jesus hide his lovely face'. More on that in another post.