If you have spent any time with me, you will know the conversation will at some point turn to your calling in Christ.
Jeremiah’s conversation with God pops out in every conversation…
“I don’t know if I am up to it.”
“I am not really good at it.”
“We will see what happens…”
Jeremiah said “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” (Jer 1:6)
The last comment God made on the matter has two really profound parts for me:
“Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” Declares the Lord.”
(Jeremiah 1:8 NIV)
The first thing I want to highlight is that the Hebrew is much richer in its language. It literally says, “Do Not Be Afraid of Their Faces”!
It implies to me that our calling is so much more personal. Like Jeremiah, we must not fear their intimidation, anger, raised voices, statements and threats. The boisterous, intimidating things happening right in front of you.
Elsewhere God speaks about not worrying about where we are going, or about tomorrow, our future, and to trust in Him. But here He says directly: Do not fear what is happening right in front of you.
And that plays into the second part, the confirmation. Speak the words I put into your heart. If taken, you have saved a person, a family, a neighbourhood… a nation. If not: “I will rescue you”
The verses we always see on the cup is O.T. lite “Do not be afraid, for I am with you” (Jer 1:8) but the fact is that God actually says, things will go wrong, things will not be moonlight and roses. In Hebrew it says “I will deliver you”
We don’t need to be delivered from anything if nothing ever goes wrong! But God says that this is part of the story, when it happens, it will become part of your testimony. In fact, it didn’t ”go wrong”. This strengthens you, it strengthens your faith, and it strengthens your testimony… Remember Paul and Silas worshipping in jail?
Do not be afraid, because this too is in God’s hands.
“Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” Declares the Lord”
(Jeremiah 1:8, NIV)
Open your heart to your calling, and the calling of your children… and do not fear, we walk with God!
