True Despair

Aim: To die to the flesh; and to please God in Jesus.

Doctrine: Nothing will satisfy God when His Son is forsaken. Extremely devout religion nor a plea based on ignorance (or being deceived) will not suffice.

Exegesis: The evils that befall the unregenerate: all their devotion, because it is false, is rejected (vv. 11-12); all their vain hopes, because they are lies, utterly fail (vv. 13-16); all their covenant privileges, because they are scorned, are suspended (vv. 17-18).

Further application: How to always hope in the face of despair: by being God's true children (whom He will never despise) and being persistent believers (even in the darkest times).

Key verse: v. 11 ''Then the LORD said to me, 'Do not pray for this people, for their good...'''