Jeremiah 1:7-10 – God qualifies and empowers our calling

It’s a fact that no one can ever give a reason good enough to turn down the call of God on his or her life. Jeremiah soon realized it. In Jeremiah 1:7-10, we are told what God did in response to the prophet’s reluctance. 

Firstly, in response to his trepidation, God got him to refocus. He was told not to view the call redirected from looking at his personal inadequacy to Him, the great God who was placing the call on His life. God was assuring Jeremiah that he was not going to do the work depending on his own puny strength but on His strength. And that He would personally be directing him where to go and all he needed was to speak what He would tell him to speak.

Secondly, God assured him that He would be with him. The fear that the prophet had was unfounded for God was fully aware of what he would be coming up against. He knew how stubborn and rebellious the people Jeremiah would have to face could be, especially when they refuse to acknowledge God or His truth. But the prophet was not to be intimidated, for God would be with Him to deliver him. Though not out of the circumstances but through them all.

Thirdly, as God had touched Isaiah’s mouth He also touched Jeremiah’s. With the former, God used a seraph bearing burning coal from the altar with tongs to touch his mouth (Isaiah 6:6-7). For the latter, Jeremiah 1:9 says this, “Then the LORD stretched out His hand and touched my mouth and said, ….“Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.” For Isaiah, God cleansed, for Jeremiah He empowered.   God empowered him to speak His words. 

Fourthly, God not only appointed, and authorized Jeremiah as the prophet to His people, but He also defined the scope of his prophetic call. A prophet was one who not only gives words of judgment but also words of hope. So Jeremiah would give words of judgment that would pluck up, break down, destroy, and overthrow. But he would also be given positive words that would build and plant. His ministry would provide the foundation for the establishment of a new era, the messianic era.  

Some of us may wonder how can I be effective as God’s messenger in this world that is hostile to the Gospel?  The lesson from these verses is that God empowers us in His call for us to be His witnesses in the world. He will be with us in our assignment. What we need is to do the task boldly. We are not only cleansed but also empowered to be His messengers in our hostile world. No more excuses. Just do it!