April 29, 2001
But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.
You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.
Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.
Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me,
"Now, I have put my words in your mouth.
See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down,
to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant."
Jeremiah 1:7-10
Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall
to stand against the whole land--against the kings of Judah,
its officials, its priests and the people of the land.
They will fight against you but will not overcome you,
for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 1:18-19
Jeremiah was given a great challenge in being a prophet to the Jews and the neighboring nations. Reading the first chapter it's clear that he didn't feel he was equal to the task for which he had been called! As God guides him through his thinking we see so much more of the heart of God. Anytime God has called a man to a task he has always given him exactly what's needed to be successful and there is no exception here. Though Jeremiah appears to be young, timid and inexperienced God promises to be with him (vs 5 & 10), promises to give him the words to speak (vs 9), promises that he will strengthen him (vs 18) and promises that he will not allow him to be overcome (vs 19). If you've read through the book of Jeremiah you know that God was absolutely faithful to his promises. Rereading this today reminds me once again.. for whatever God calls us to face in this life, any responsibility, any task, any challenge, any hardship... God is always faithful in coming through with what we need to be victorious. He promises to never give us more than we can bear, to always provide a way out, to strengthen us for what lay before us, promises to give us words and wisdom in challenging situations. I know the promises and I believe thm, I think what throws me off sometimes is that God takes me right to the very edge of what I think I can handle because it requires the greatest degree of trust. It is the place and the moment where I learn so much about the heart, the character and the faithfulness of God. If I stay is the safe comfortable places, I'll never learn, I'll never grow and I'll never change...