Pierre Auguste Renoir, the great French artist, suffered severely from rheumatism. It was extremely painful for him to paint, but he continued to do so. A friend once asked, "You have done enough already, Renoir. Why do you continue to torture yourself?" The artist looked at him for a long moment and then said, "The pain passes, but the beauty remains."
As we read the prayer of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 15:15-18), we catch a glimpse of his suffering soul. Rejected by his family, friends, and country, this gallant prophet complained to God in this prayer about his agony. Why did Jeremiah continue to preach and pray? The same reason that Renoir painted: The pain passes, the beauty remains. Jeremiah knew the suffering of the moment could not be compared with the joy awaiting him for faithfulness. So he kept on preaching and praying.
In our moments of despair we, like Jeremiah, sometimes complain to God about our problems. It is comforting to know God understands and seeks to solace our weary hearts. Soon the pain will pass; the beauty of our obedience and faithfulness will last throughout eternity. Let us then be faithful in discharging the duties God has given us.
“Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail?”
Jeremiah 15:18 KJV
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