Emphasis Preaching Journal

Did you ever have someone come to you when you were down in the mouth and ready to throw in the towel and suggest you ought to buck up, try harder, dig in, hang in there? It is good to be encouraged, of course, but sometimes one seems at the end of the rope and such a word is more frustrating, more aggravating, not what we want to hear.

Jeremiah is down, weary from his task.

Luke's people are beaten to a pulp and more -- the promised return of Jesus has not taken place. They seem to be without hope.