Journaling Jeremiah: Chapter 1

17 "Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. 18 Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land--against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD

I'm not much of a journaler when it comes to my study of the Bible. Usually when I read and start processing, all the information cannot be transcribed to paper as well as it is in my head. I'm a strong thinker, but can never clearly get it out on paper or even in my own words. So what a better way than to try and blog my thoughts on the book of Jeremiah. It's a great way for me to keep up with my daily study, and also get some input and feedback from my personal study and reflection. So if you get confused on any posts entitled "Journaling Jeremiah", please bear with me and write plenty of comments! it'll be a journey for you and me both!

Now I have only gotten excerpts of Jeremiah before, but it hasn't been a book I've read/studied, so I decided to read the introduction in my Study Bible. What an introduction to such an interesting character and someone I have overlooked for years.

First read Jeremiah Chapter 1. Go ahead, I can wait... It's not too long.

I love Verse 5, where my Lord says, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you." How infinitely GREAT is it that our Lord knew who we were before we were formed in our mommies' stomachs? Knowing He took the time to form and develop each and every one of us to be unique from each other, yet in His image.

As the Lord tells Jeremiah that he will become a prophet to the nations, Jeremiah fearfully states, "6 I do not know how to speak; I am only a child." After reading this, I automatically think of all the excuses I give to the Lord for everything. Just like how adults today give the excuse of "They're just teenagers...", this is Jeremiah stating to the Lord "But I'm just a teenager, what am I suppose to do?"

Jeremiah shows the same timidity (is that a word?) I had/have when approached with conflict in life. That without the Lord, I felt weak and fearful that I would fail, let down others, or even worse, let down my Lord. Jeremiah felt doubt when asked to say whatever the Lord commanded him to, to whomever the Lord sent him to. He felt young and inexperienced, just like how I felt in the first few years after accepting Christ and beginning work in ministry. Even today I sometimes feel hesitant to speak about my Lord in front of teens and young adults. But it was the Lords touch and the filling of Jeremiah's mouth with His words that gave Jeremiah his confidence. It was knowing the Lord would stand with Jeremiah, filling Jeremiah with His words and spirit, when approached by a strong opposition, that allowed Jeremiah to gain that Christ-confidence we speak of in Youth Group.

When I became a Christian, I made a life-long pact to my Lord that I would become His shining light on this dark world. That I would become His voice to those that choose not to hear Him. I must trust His word, what He tells me, and that every situation that He presents me with, I need to say whatever it is the Lord commands me to say. This first Chapter is just reassuring that my true strength lies within Christ, and that I cannot do anything alone.

When I read Verse 18 the first time, I thought of a literal city, iron pillar and bronze wall. But then reading over again, I realize He was talking about me, my body and spirit. As long as I remain in Christ, and He remains in me, WE are an immovable object, that can withstand any force or opposition.

Nothing can overcome me because my Lord is with me and will rescue me.

Father,
Build me up as strong as a fortified city, an iron pillar, a bronze wall. I realize I cannot stand alone when approached with life's opposition. I am no longer timid or weak or just a child with Your words in my mouth. I am strong as iron. I am Christ-Confident. Amen.