Jeremiah 1:17-19
But you Jeremiah, gird up your loins! Arise and tell them all that i command you. Do not be dismayed and break down at the sight of their faces, lest i confound you before them and permit you to be overcome.( Verse 18).
God had just called young naive Jeremiah, giving him a rather big assignment for his age. God had asked him to stand before the Nation and its leaders who were much older than Jeremiah, speaking all that He would have him say. It would have been a breeze, if God had not required that Jeremiah bring messages of doom, destruction and judgement as a consequence of Judah’s sins. This assignment was so important to God, He’d chosen Jeremiah specially before the lad was born.
Along with the promise of strength and protection, just like He’s given to us too, God warns him: Do not give in to fear! Don’t let your knees buckle at the sight of all their intimidating faces, do not lose hope, do not be discouraged, do NOT fear. Just go do all I have asked you to do. Why? Lest I confound you before them and permit you to be overcome’. Other versions say ‘lest I terrify you while they watch’.
Me: But God, wait a minute, why shouldn’t Jeremiah be afraid? I would, anyone else would.
God: Yeah, but I’ve promised to be with him and keep him safe. I’ve given him my word that though they fight against him, no one will be able to defeat him. I’ve made him strong and impenetrable! And I’m a God who watches alertly and actively over my words to make sure they come to pass!
Jeremiah definitely had no reason to be afraid, do you?
PS: oh and by the way, God is still in the business of giving big assignments to little people. . .go do what He’s asked you to do!
Shalom