Do Not Be Afraid

In the call of the prophet Jeremiah, we witness a familiar human response when faced with a divine assignment - a sense of inadequacy. Jeremiah, though chosen by God, felt insufficient for the monumental task set before him. He protested, "I am a youth."

How often do we, like Jeremiah, measure our ability by our own perceived limitations? We question our capacity to fulfill the calling God has placed on our lives. We consider our age, our background, our perceived shortcomings, and we feel ill-equipped.

Yet, God's response to Jeremiah is as relevant to us as it was to him: "Do not say, 'I am a youth'." The Lord's calling is not contingent on our age or our perceived abilities. He is not limited by our human constraints. When God calls, He equips. He empowers. He provides what is needed to fulfill His purposes.

Furthermore, God assures Jeremiah - and us - that the message he carries is not his own. He will speak only what God commands him to. This truth liberates us from the burden of having to rely on our own wisdom or eloquence. We are vessels, entrusted with the sacred task of delivering God's Word.

Yet, even armed with this assurance, fear can still loom large. The faces of those to whom we are sent may seem daunting. Opposition and resistance are common companions on the path of obedience. But God's word to Jeremiah resounds in our hearts as well: "Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you."

In our moments of doubt and worry, let us remember that the God who calls us is the same God who promises to be with us. He is our strength, our shield, and our deliverer. He stands alongside us, ready to provide what we lack and to carry us through every challenge.