The prophet Jeremiah preached primarily in Judah, from 626 until 587 BC. The people had started to worship other gods and their evil practices had deeply offended the true God. Jeremiah prophesied divine retribution. He upset the priests and suffered being put in the stocks, beaten and thrown into a well. God came to his rescue, however, and an Ethiopian pulled him out of the well. When the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem and took the Jews captive, they treated Jeremiah with great kindness, in stark contrast to what he had endured from his own people.
God cares for humanity, even though in today’s world - with the suffering of so many people through the abuse of power and unimaginable cruelty of so many leaders - it is difficult to see how this can be true. However, if - as Jesus says - his Father notices an insignificant little bird like a sparrow fall to the ground, how much more will he watch over us? - without us perhaps even realising it. The words of God to the prophet Job are significant, when he complained of his misfortunes (Job 38-42). He pointed out how Job did not have the overall view of his creator. Nor do we.
Many people are persecuted for their faith today. However, even in places where freedom of religion is allowed, there is a great deal of undermining of religious practice, especially in the press. Amidst the often-justified criticism of individuals in the church, the loving teaching of Jesus Christ is forgotten or ignored.