Daily Devotions
Jeremiah
"Do not be afraid of their faces"
Text: Jeremiah 1:8
THE PROBLEM OF FEAR
Fear is a human instinct. It can be good and useful. But it can also be negative and inhibitive. The Lord had to deal with this deeper problem.
“‘Do not be afraid of their faces,
For I am with you to deliver you,’ says the LORD.”
Jeremiah 1:8
1. “Do not be afraid of their faces”
a) The faces of the potential enemies:
i) Jeremiah may not have any enemies as a young lad.
ii) But when he begins his ministry as a prophet of God, he would make enemies.
b) Who would these enemies be?
i) Those who opposed the Lord.
ii) Those given to idolatry.
iii) Those whose sins are exposed.
iv) These enemies were powerful and wicked.
v) They could harm Jeremiah badly.
c) God’s word to Jeremiah:
i) He would have to develop courage.
ii) He would have to quell feelings of fear.
iii) He would have to preach without fear or favour.
2. “‘For I am with you to deliver you,’ says the LORD”
a) A wonderful promise
i) God would be with Jeremiah.
ii) He would be there when enemies attack.
b) A promise of deliverance
i) God would be there to deliver Jeremiah from powerful enemies.
ii) He would exercise divine power to protect him.
iii) He would send deliverance to rescue him from deadly danger.
All these were said to Jeremiah to fortify him for the ministry that lay ahead of him as a prophet of the Lord!