Visions of Jeremiah

 

    When you think of visions, premonitions, or prophecies, it sounds like the beginning of a fun adventure.  Don't you want to see what the future holds?  After reading Isaiah and now Jeremiah, I don't think so.  To have the calling of visions as a gift from God is intense.  You have to tell the world what it doesn't want to hear.  Then you have to try to convince them that you are not crazy.

    God spoke to Jeremiah activating his calling into service.  Jerusalem was already in exile, but God still had more to tell His people.  God pointed out how well He knew them.  He knows all of us before we are even born.  He had given this calling to Jeremiah when he was still in his mother's womb.  That means his mother's calling could have been to just have him and raise him to be close to God.

    If you are willing to follow God, then He will ask more of you than you think you have to give.  It may seem like it is beyond your capability.  That is because we think we can do less than what we can actually do.  If God is behind it, then we can do anything.  Jeremiah did not feel like he was up to the task.  Yet, God ordered Jeremiah not to be afraid and accept.  He is still ordering the same thing for you because He is with you like He was with Jeremiah.

    God gave visions to Jeremiah.  God gave the words for Jeremiah to use.  That removed one stressor (knowing what to say).  God had Jeremiah repeat what he saw in the visions to make sure he understood what the message was.  He had six metaphors to work through.  

    God appointed Jeremiah as His spokesperson over nations and kingdoms once he understood the calling.  Jeremiah was just a humble profit and now he was thrust into the spotlight.  Jeremiah accepted his responsibility because he had seen what was to come.  Everything was changing.  God was about to pour our His judgment and the people needed to know so they could prepare.  

    God doesn't just send you out into the unknown.  He will prepare you.  He spent years preparing Jeremiah for this huge task even if it was unknown to Jeremiah.  God knew that the leaders would fight against Jeremiah every step of the way.  It was an uphill battle from the start.  He would not be overcome because he knew that God would not just sit by and watch it like a game.  God would be right there with Him in the thick of it.  He was commanded to stand, tell God's message, and do not be intimidated.  He did all that was commanded.

    We are not to be afraid to do the right thing, to serve God with all our heart.  He did not save you for you to waste your life.  You have been called to do important things.  It is time to get started.  You may be watching the world fall apart, but the fight is not over.  Jeremiah saw the world torn apart, but He did not run or hide.  He stepped up.  God never promised a safe life, just a safe eternal life.

Jeremiah 1