Bible Reading: Joshua 7; Psalm 137 & 138; Jeremiah 1; Matthew 15
And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee. (Jeremiah 1:19)
The prophet would not be spared the fight! God would protect the prophet in the midst of the fight but the people would fight against Jeremiah. All throughout Israel's history in the Bible they had to fight. They would face enemies and God would give them the victory even against unbelievable odds. When God called Jeremiah, he told him that he would give him the words to say.
Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them. (Jeremiah 1:17)
Jeremiah was to be ready. When he spoke what God told him to, the people would not like it! By the look on their faces you would be able to see that they were upset by the words that Jeremiah brought. Jeremiah was not to let this deter him. He was to be prepared for this and go on speaking what God told him.
For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. (Jeremiah 1:18)
God had made Jeremiah into something that could withstand the abuse and criticism that would come his way. God had made him a defenced city. He had high walls around his heart to guard against the sleight he would take. As an iron pillar of strength and brazen walls he would be able to stand when the people did not like what he had to say.
Jeremiah was prepared by God for his task. It would not be easy because the people of the land no longer would hear God's word. They had strayed far away from God and Jeremiah was to point out their sins and call them back. The prophet task of Jeremiah is pertinent in our day as well. The people of our land do not know Jesus. The Bible is not the light for the paths of most Americans. The need to call them out of darkness and into the glorious light of Jesus is as great as it has ever been. However, the task will be like Jeremiah's. They will not like it. The people will fight against the prophets who boldly stand and proclaim the truth.
It is the calling of God's people throughout the ages to endure the fight and go through it by God's power. Will you stand boldly for the truth of God's Word? Will you stand pillar-straight and like a brazen wall against the opposition you will face? You can with Jesus' help!
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
In Christ,
Rody
