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Jeremiah had just been called as a prophet and was a very young person. Then God told him.
17 “Get up and prepare for action. Go out and tell them everything I tell you to say. Do not be afraid of them, or I will make you look foolish in front of them. 18 For see, today I have made you strong like a fortified city that cannot be captured, like an iron pillar or a bronze wall. You will stand against the whole land— the kings, officials, priests, and people of Judah. 19 They will fight you, but they will fail. For I am with you, and I will take care of you. I, theLord, have spoken!” [1]
As Jeremiah takes a stand for God, he doesn’t have to do it alone. This brief statement gives us insight into God. God’s assignment comes with provision. The Lord is going to make him like a fortified city that can’t be captured or like an iron pillar or bronze wall. The Lord is with him and the Lord will take care of him.
When my son was very young he used to ask me, “That was then, what about now?” Actually, that is a very good question from a small child. This passage gives me great insight on how God works with weak vessels like me. Maybe you are a weak vessel, also. It is not so much what Jeremiah is going to do on his own, but what the Lord will do as He works through him. That is how the Lord works with us, also. God gives us the strength and guidance to do what He has called us to do.
The hard part is trusting that the Lord is with you. Maybe the Lord is calling you to take a stand for the faith. God may be calling you to be an example in your family, neighborhood or workplace. Taking a stand may mean being kind to those around you. Taking stand may mean cleaning up the language that you use. Taking a stand may mean not pretending to be someone you are not. Taking a stand may mean saying you are sorry. Taking a stand may mean picking up someone else’s mess. Taking a stand may mean praying for those you do not like. Often times taking a stand is not changing the other person, it is God changing me through the process.
I prayed for years to be more patient with others. It was a long journey, but overtime I became different and forgot how I used to be.
And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand. [2] Isaiah 64:8
To hear the story of Jeremiah’s call as a prophet of God, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/series/journey-with-jeremiah/called-of-god
To learn more listen to these teachings:
[1, 2]Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation(Jeremiah 1:17–19, Isaiah 64:8). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.