#DailyDevotion The Call Into The Public Ministry Is A Call To Man Up
November 2nd
Read Jer 1:1–19
Jer 1:6-14 Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” (7) But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. (8) Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD.” (9) Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the LORD said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. (10) See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”
When Jeremiah is called by the Lord, like a lot of men called by God, he tries to avoid it. He knows his life is going to be changed and sometimes not for the better in this world. But the Lord will have none of it. He promises Jeremiah that He will be with him, to put words in his mouth and to accomplish all that he will speak. On top of that, the Lord promises Jeremiah that he should not be afraid because the Lord will deliver him out of the hands of his enemies.
Jeremiah isn’t going to have an easy time of it. His message to the Israelites is not one they are going to want to hear. A lot of what he is going to predict will come to pass in his lifetime, namely the fall of Jerusalem and the exile of her people. We know from history what Jeremiah predicted did come to pass. The Lord brought this disaster upon Judah and Jerusalem because they were not faithful to God’s promises. They worshipped other gods and gave the Lord’s glory to them. Indeed, they would be an example to us who worship the Lord Jesus Christ. If we begin looking to any other thing, deity or philosophy to enter eternal life, we too will be cast down and exiled eternally from the eternal city, the New Jerusalem.
We who are pastors also have this to take from Jeremiah’s commission. While the Lord does not promise he will deliver us from every evil in this life, we do have the promise of eternal life and the resurrection from the dead. We have the promise of shining like the stars in the heaven as we bring people to righteousness.
We are to be just as stalwart in our presentation of the whole counsel of God. We should not fear preaching the Law to people just because they won’t like us or fear for doing so they won’t come to faith in Jesus Christ. Nor should we fear preaching the Gospel, the free gift of eternal life, the forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with the Father on account of Jesus’ work will lead people to licentiousness. We should follow Jeremiah’s example in ministry and preach the severity of the Law and the sweetness of the Gospel so men may come to salvation. Let the Lord deal with those who abuse His Word and His men who speak for him.
Lord Jesus Christ, pour out upon all ministers of your grace, the courage and ability to speak your Word with power so no one in their midst can have any excuse before you on the last day. Fulfill your Word in them so those you have called may come to eternal life and may your pastors not lose the gift you have given in through faith in you. Amen.