Jeremiah 1
“For behold, I have made you this day a fortified city and an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, against its princes, against its priests, and against the people of the land. They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you, says the LORD, to deliver you.” (Jeremiah 1:18–19, NKJV)
God’s selection of people is a great mystery. Why did He choose Jeremiah to be a prophet? He was young; he was the son of a priest. But God said that before He formed Jeremiah in the womb, He knew him. He ordained Jeremiah to be a prophet to the nations.
But Jeremiah felt quite inadequate. This is not unusual. When God called Moses, he also felt inadequate for the task. We so easily measure the “feasibility” by what we can see and understand. But God sees what we do not see. His thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways. God chose Jeremiah, and that was all the qualification Jeremiah needed.
Moreover, God would strengthen and empower this young man to stand boldly against extreme opposition. Jeremiah would be like a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls. No one would be able to stand against the power and wisdom by which he spoke. The enemies of the LORD would fight against Jeremiah, but they would not prevail. The reason? God would be with him to deliver him.
We who have believed in Jesus Christ have also received a calling from God. He has set us apart for works that He prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). All authority has been given to Christ in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). So when He sends us out to do His will, we can be assured that no one will be able to prevail against us. This ought to make us bold and passionate to stand for Christ and speak His words. Unfortunately, we often shrink back in fear.
May God help us not to measure situations by our own inadequacy but by God’s all-sufficiency. And then may we go out in strength and courage to represent Christ. He is with us to deliver us from harm and fulfill His good purpose through us!