"For the LORD takes pleasure in his people;
he adorns the humble with salvation.
Let the godly exult in glory;
let them sing for joy on their beds.
Let the high praises of God be in their throats..." Psalm 149:4-6
Jeremiah 20:7-10
Jeremiah spends a little time complaining here. He is, apparently, not at all timid about telling God exactly how he feels.
What's his complaint? The reaction that he is getting from people over the message he has been sent to proclaim.
Do we have trouble telling God how we feel? I know people who believe that it is never wrong to question God. If that is true, then why do we have passages like this in the Bible? Jeremiah, David, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Elisha, Elijah...all of these people questioned or complained to God at one time or another.
Point is, God can take our complaints. He might even answer sometimes. More likely, though, he will remain silent while we get our "rant" out. That's really all Jeremiah is doing here (my opinion)...venting. He'll get it out of his system and then he will get back to work. And that's ok. When's the last time you had a good rant? And who better to rant to than God? He won't vent back. He will patiently listen, answer if necessary, pat us on the back and send us on our way.
And, honestly, I think God hears our prayers more effectively if we are being totally honest with him.
Grace and peace, friends.