Jeremiah

By Guest Writer

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 1:1-10, Jeremiah 29:1, Jeremiah 29:4-19, Jeremiah 39:1, Jeremiah 39:9-18

Jeremiah surely knew what a knotted stomach and knocking knees felt like.

He was a nobody, really. Just a pastor’s kid from the smallest tribe in all of Israel (Jeremiah 1:1), born into an era of such widespread upheaval, blending in must have felt necessary for survival. Yet he could not blend. He could not play it safe. God Himself put a megaphone up to Jeremiah’s mouth and commanded him to speak a bold message to a broken nation.

So, speak, Jeremiah did.

When the kings of Judah disobeyed the Lord, Jeremiah spoke of true authority (Jeremiah 22:6–7).

When the leaders of his nation were carted away into captivity, Jeremiah spoke an unlikely message of future hope (Jeremiah 29:4–28).

When God’s chosen people had been nearly wiped from their land of promise, Jeremiah spoke a sermon of unfathomable grace (Jeremiah 39:16–18).

They threw him in a pit; Jeremiah kept speaking (Jeremiah 38:6).

They threatened his life; Jeremiah kept speaking (v24).

Though his words seemed to fall to the ground without changing a single heart or mind, Jeremiah kept speaking. We call him the “weeping prophet,” but he was, more accurately, the speaking prophet—faithful to declare every word God gave him.

The words of the Lord burned in his belly, leaked out of his tear ducts, and boomed from his vocal chords. But why? What motivated Jeremiah to prophesy faithfully against such unthinkable opposition?

The powerful presence of God alone compelled him. For the Lord Himself declared, “Do not be afraid of anyone, for I will be with you to rescue you. This is the LORD’s declaration” (Jeremiah 1:8).

Jeremiah was an unexpected prophet with an unprecedented message. Still, in many ways, the call of God has not changed.

And if you are in Christ, He’s placed a megaphone over your mouth. You’re the one assigned to proclaim that Jesus is the one true King, that His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, that the path of sin can only lead to destruction, and the path of righteousness leads to everlasting life. Isn’t this the essence of what Jesus meant when He told us, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19–20)?

Sure, it’s easier to blend in, but Christ-follower that you might be, blending is not the call. Whether you stand before kings or kindergarteners, preach the gospel and receive applause or scorn, you can (and should) proclaim the truth with Jeremiah’s conviction knowing that the God who stood beside Jeremiah surrounds you as well.

What God once spoke to Jeremiah, Jesus promised to all of us, “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age (v.20).

God is with us (always).
He’s entrusted us with the message of hope for the captives.
Like Jeremiah, let us speak and keep speaking, boldly. Until He comes.

Written by Erin Davis