Even the prophet Jeremiah, among whose writings these words are found, had moments of doubt and questioning. With the invading Babylonian army at the very gates of Jerusalem, God had commanded him to buy a piece of land, as a sign that the people of Israel, though carried captive, would one day return to their own inheritance. Such a prospect seemed so impossible that even Jeremiah's faith was challenged, but God responded to his questioning with this awesome declaration of his own omnipotence.
Jeremiah chose to put his trust in this unlimited power of God, rather than in his own natural abilities (Jer. 1:6-7). Though he suffered greatly, both physically and emotionally, he never compromised the message God had sent him to deliver. Such saints as he now make up the "cloud of witnesses," inspiring us to run our own race with patience (Heb. 12:1). We may fail, but God never fails.
All Scripture references from KJV. Commentary ©2010 Hitchcock Family Ministry. Unaltered text may be reproduced freely without financial gain. Original commentary and Scripture song available at http://www.freescripturesongs.org/behold-I-am-the-Lord.