What if you were told that you had to go up on the tight rope in the circus and walk from one end of the tent to the other? Here’s the deal: there’s a net beneath you that will catch you and you won’t die. Also good news, your body has been supernaturally strengthened so that you will heal from the scrapes and bruises when you fall. And an expert will walk with you the whole way. But there is some bad news, too. You will fall. That’s certain. Over and over again. And the crowd will boo you and throw things at you the whole time. But you have to walk – no other option. And here are your instructions to prepare for this task: Get ready, don’t be afraid, and walk. Are you excited?
The prophet Jeremiah faced a similar dilemma. Don’t rack your brain trying to remember the circus scene from Sunday school when you learned about the Old Testament prophets. That twist is mine. But the scenario has some similarities. Look at the passage I’m referring to:
17 “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. 18 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. 19 They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 1:17-19)
This is the introduction to the Old Testament book of Jeremiah, named after the prophet who wrote it. He also is credited with the book of Lamentations, which comes right after Jeremiah in the Bible. He is known in many circles as “The Weeping Prophet” because he really didn’t have much good news for the nation of Judah. His tenure as prophet came toward the end of the 5th century B.C. And his job was a tough one, as we can learn from his marching orders in this first chapter. Earlier in the chapter, God tells Jeremiah that he has been set apart from before birth to say whatever God commands him as he has been appointed as a prophet to the nations to tell of their pending destruction and captivity. Yay.
This particular passage sets up the rest of the book and is perfect foreshadowing for Jeremiah’s plight as a bearer of bad news. As with most of the Old Testament prophets, however, God’s punishment for His children is because of centuries of disobedience and hard-hearted, stiff-necked attitudes and behaviors. And there is always the good news of restoration and redemption for the repentant.
So what does this passage have to do with us, thousands of years later? That’s the exciting part! Look at what God is responsible for and what Jeremiah is responsible for in this arrangement.
Here is God’s part.
He will command Jeremiah what to say. (1:17) God is responsible for the message. In His perfect sovereignty and knowledge, He will instruct Jeremiah in every situation so that the words coming out of Jeremiah’s mouth will perfectly reflect God’s message.
He has made Jeremiah strong (fortified city, iron pillar, bronze wall) to stand against the enemies that will fight him. (1:18) This is in the past tense; it’s already been done. Jeremiah has already been given everything he needs to be successful at the task God has called him to. And the imagery is of materials that are impenetrable, sturdy and designed to withstand great force from enemies. This is exactly what Jeremiah needs for God’s assignment.
He is with Jeremiah. (1:19) The ultimate defense is having God with you. The Presence of God Almighty was what guided the fleeing Hebrews in the desert after their escape from Egypt. God’s Presence comforted and rescued the faithful Hebrews Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when the king had thrown them in the fiery furnace. God’s Presence comforted Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and gave Him courage to face the cross. When God says, “I am with you” it is enough.
He will rescue Jeremiah. (1:19) There will be hard times ahead for the prophet, but God’s promise for the future is that He will rescue His servant from the enemies that will attack him. The going will be tough, but God will save Jeremiah to continue preaching His message.
So if God has covered Jeremiah past, present and future, what’s left for Jeremiah to do? That’s where we can learn something. Look at Jeremiah’s job description:
Get yourself ready! This term in the Hebrew language has a military connotation that implies the act of a soldier wrapping a sash or belt around himself to prepare for combat. A physical and preemptive action before an enemy attack. In the seasons of life, there are actions we can take to prepare ourselves for the next spiritual challenge. There are times of struggle and there are times of peace. The times of peace are for preparation. Getting ready. If we seek God in our times of peace, His Presence will be more tangible and we will be better equipped to face the times of difficulty.
Stand up and obey. There is to be no cowering obedience for Jeremiah. No apologetic delivery of God’s pronouncement of coming wrath. He is to stand and speak God’s message loud and proud! And everything in this section of Scripture indicates that Jeremiah will know when it’s time to speak – when the time of preparation is over. And then… action! Speak away! God’s instructions to Joshua were of a fighting nature, too, but they were definitely military in nature. Jeremiah is to speak. Everyone has a specific calling from God and when we discover it, we are to move. But only when we’ve prepared. See how it all fits together? It would be easier if not for this last part…
Do not be terrified. After preparation to move, there’s that part about controlling fear. This seems to say that we can control our fear. The root word of this has definitions that include cracking, shattering, and panic. There will be an adrenaline rush at the moment of obedience, and that may be the inklings of fear. But we do, in fact, have control over our thoughts and emotions and we can act in spite of them when necessary. 2 Corinthians 10:5 instructs us to take our thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ. We decide between fight and flight. We limit our fear when we remember God’s promises and how He has come through for us in the past and how He will be faithful in the future.
So how do we prepare for a challenge ahead? How do we control our fear? And how do we move forward in obedience, even against opposition? By focusing on what God has done, is doing and will do in our lives when we partner with Him to advance His Kingdom. He has created us and called us to live unique and dynamic lives in intimate relationship with Him. Sometimes we are in a season of preparation and waiting and then the command to move comes. Will we be ready? What are we seeking in the meantime? Where is our focus? These are questions worth pondering. So get ready, control your fear, and obey!
Read the following passages and write or think about what they tell you about God’s activity in your life. What is your response to these truths? How can they make a difference in your life if you really lived as if they were true?
•Deuteronomy 31:6 •Psalm 118:6,7 •Matthew 28:20
•Ephesians 1:3-14 •2 Peter 1:3-4 •Revelation 2:10
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