Many of Jeremiah’s messages were painful and unpleasant for the people (and especially the
kings) of Judah. But Jeremiah also echoed the rest of the Bible in saying that with God the worst
thing is never the last thing. Just before Jerusalem fell, he formally bought a piece of property at
God’s direction. Though real estate prices were surely very low, his motive was not economic, but
prophetic. “This is worth it,” he said, “because God promises that ‘houses, fields and vineyards will
again be bought in this land.’”

• Though it may not bring responses as severe as it did to Jeremiah, “speaking the truth in love” is not always easy. Yet honesty and accountability are a key to relationships that help us grow spiritually. Has anyone ever challenged you in a way that offered hope as well as a call to change direction? How can you seek to ensure that your efforts to hold those you care about accountable ultimately lead to hope rather than despair?