What do you do when a friend digs their own grave? What can
you pray when someone's sins are about to turn their world completely upside
down? Most of us avoid these gravediggers; I think because we're afraid we'll get sucked into the pit with them.
A man named Jeremiah faced such a situation a little less
than 3,000 years ago. The Israelites sinned constantly until God couldn't take
it anymore. "They've dug their own grave," He said in essence.
"In fact, do not pray for them, Jeremiah" (Jeremiah 7:16). When
someone's dug their own grave, what do we do?
Weep
Jeremiah was known as the weeping prophet because of his
many tears for Israel. God basically told him there was no hope for his
countrymen. Jeremiah prayed otherwise. He hurt for them. It's O.K. to hurt for
those who have passed the point of no return. Instead of passing them off as
collateral damage, go ahead and hold onto the high value you placed on
friendship...and family. It is painful to hear about or watch a friend spiral
down an endless rabbit hole. But your broken heart will lead to intercession.
Pray
Jeremiah disobeyed the Lord; he prayed for his country even
after God told him not to. He couldn't help it.
I will admit that sometimes I'm at a loss for how to pray for a friend
who is about to hit rock bottom. Didn't they dig this grave? Didn't they do this to themselves? Jeremiah, on the
other hand, put himself in their shoes (Jeremiah 18:20) and spoke on their
behalf to God. Maybe God was just testing Jeremiah. Either way, his love for his neighbors brought him to his knees.
Stay
The most damaging thing about sin
is separation. The sinner is separated from God, and the "non-sinners"
(even though there is no such person) avoids them like the plague. Stay with
your hurting brother or sister as long as possible. You may be the only Jesus
that shows true friendship by sticking around while everyone else threatens to
throw stones. Jeremiah also stuck around sinful Israel after the threats of the
Babylonians became reality. He stayed to hold hands, share meals, and weep some
more.
Everyone acts differently when
they come across a gravedigger. Most people keep moving along as if nothing is
happening. Others go the other extreme by grabbing a shovel and digging a deeper hole only to push them in. I think most gravediggers know their fate. They're just
looking for someone who cares; someone who can spark hope and life.
Gravediggers may be looking for someone to help them bury the hatchet.
How will you respond when a
gravedigger near you starts digging their own grave?
