Charles Spurgeon Commentary Jeremiah 14:7-9

"Though our iniquities testify against us, work thou for thy name`s sake, O Jehovah; for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee. O thou hope of Israel, the Saviour thereof in the time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a sojourner in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night? Why shouldest thou be as a man affrighted, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O Jehovah, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not." — Jeremiah 14:7-9 (ASV)

For our backslidings are many; we have sinned against you. O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why should you be as a stranger in the land and as a wayfaring man that turns aside to tarry for a night? Why should you be as a man astonished, as a mighty man that cannot save? Yet you, O LORD, are in the midst of us, and we are called by your name; leave us not.

Can you not almost hear the good man praying? Notice how he begs the Lord not to be to the land like a mere stranger who passes through it, and cares nothing for it. Why should you be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turns aside to tarry for a night?

Then he pleads with the Lord, "Why should you be as a man strong, but stunned?"—for that is the meaning of the expression he uses—"Do not be as a mighty man astounded or stunned, who cannot save us; let it not be thought or said that we have come to such a pass that even you cannot help us." This was grand pleading on the prophet's part, and he followed it up by mentioning the close connection that existed between Israel and God.

Yet you, O Jehovah, are in the midst of us, and we are called by your name; and then pleaded, leave us not. It was a grand prayer; yet, at first, this was the only answer that Jeremiah received to it:–