Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 1:13-19; Psalm 32

The calling God had placed on Jeremiah’s life was not an easy one, so God took the time to speak over Jeremiah. And the young prophet heard God’s affirmation — I have known you since you were in your mother’s womb, and I have been preparing you for this moment. I am calling you to be my voice to the people, and I will watch over you as you carry out my instructions.

I WILL WATCH OVER YOU.

Then the Lord spoke to me again and asked, “What do you see now?”
And I replied, “I see a pot of boiling water, spilling from the north.”
“Yes,” the Lord said, “for terror from the north will boil out on the people of this land. – Jeremiah 1:13-14

This word picture the Lord was giving Jeremiah was intense. He had gone from the beauty of the almond tree branch to the harsh reality of a pot of boiling water. Terror was about to be poured out over the people and country Jeremiah loved, and it was his responsibility to relay this message revealing the coming destruction. Knowing the difficulty of this task, God once again assured Jeremiah of both His power and His presence.

“Get up and prepare for action.
Go out and tell them everything I tell you to say.
Do not be afraid of them,
or I will make you look foolish in front of them.
For see, today I have made you strong
like a fortified city that cannot be captured,
like an iron pillar or a bronze wall.
You will stand against the whole land—
the kings, officials, priests, and people of Judah.
They will fight you, but they will fail.
For I am with you, and I will take care of you.
I, the Lord, have spoken!” – Jeremiah 1:17-19

DO NOT BE AFRAID.

Get up.
Prepare for action.
Do not be afraid.
I have made you strong.
You will experience opposition, but they will fail.
For I am with you. I will take care of you.
I will watch over you.

There is so much power in the words the Lord spoke over Jeremiah. I wish I knew how Jeremiah received these words of affirmation. He must have been afraid of what he was being asked to do, because God took the time to ease his fears. He must have been worried about how the people would respond, because God revealed to him that the attempts of his enemies would fail because God was on his side. He was not alone. The God of the Universe was promising to take care of him!

I WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU.

I am so thankful for a God who takes the time to meet us where we are at as He prepares us for what He is calling us to do. He cares about how we are feeling. He cares about what we are grieving, and He takes the time to speak over us. He strengthens us for what is ahead, because He knows us and yet loves us deeply.

What is God calling you to during this season of your life? Is He calling you to accomplish something difficult? Perhaps today’s passage was meant for you. If so, I pray these words will wash over you fresh and new — that you will allow God to show you His power and surround you with His presence.

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you.” – Psalm 32:8

Get up.
Prepare for action.
Do not be afraid.
I have made you strong.
You will experience opposition, but they will fail.
For I am with you. I will take care of you.
I will watch over you.