Jeremiah 1 “The Power of Fear”

READ: Jeremiah 1  

Verses chosen for meditation: Jeremiah 1:8

⁸ Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you,
declares the Lord.”

REFLECT

We start the book of Jeremiah with his appointment as a young prophet. The word of the Lord came to him, turning his world upside down, broadening his horizons and reshaping whatever plans he might have had for a career. Being an inexperienced youth, Jeremiah shrank back from what he heard from God.

This is similar to other prophetic call accounts. Moses showed his unwillingness when called. Isaiah voiced his unworthiness. Here, Jeremiah cited his immaturity. He was not stubbornly refusing the call or had prolonged resistance like Moses, but simply stated what he thought was a fact. He was just a teenager, with no experience of public speaking. God should look for someone else with better credentials.

God did not refute Jeremiah’s point as being untrue, but simply dismissed it as irrelevant. What mattered was not Jeremiah’s skills or confidence, but God’s command: Just go to whoever I send you to, and speak whatever I want you to. Jeremiah need not worry, as God had it covered. He need only to obey. Jeremiah did not say he was afraid, but God knows he’s probably trembling at this call. Hence, God uttered the command “Do not be afraid”, and the reason for not fearing is the promise of His presence and deliverance.

RELATE

Fear is real and nothing to be ashamed of. Even Jesus feared his fate on the cross and shrank back from it, like any human would. However, Jesus’ bigger fear was that he’ll fail to do the will of God his Father. In saying those words to Jeremiah, God recognised the reality and power of fear, which is often the biggest barrier to obedience.

God’s promise does have ominous implications, proving the validity of the fears. God’s reason to be with Jeremiah: to deliver him. It implies the dangerous and difficult path ahead. The road ahead would not be rosy, but there is God’s promise to protect him and rescue him from whatever difficult situation he would be in. Jeremiah needs to trust not only in God’s deliverance, but that God will take care of his other worries of inadequacies, by ministering through him.  

Jeremiah needed God’s promise, especially in the later years of his ministry. Jeremiah would be disowned by family, beaten, imprisoned and spend much time in hiding. God, in all those times, reinforced His promise, keeping it every time. These verses and events stand as a testament to God’s faithfulness to those who are willing to live in costly obedience to His call.

Though the passage is clear that the antidote to fear is trust in God, we still have trust issues. Perhaps it’s because our idea of deliverance is different. Deliverance to us may be living well, not suffering, free from poverty and illness. We saw that Jeremiah’s obedience was costly and he was not exactly living it up, but he was still being delivered. What was his deliverance then? Peace, contentment, joy. However, does that sweeten the deal for us, or does it sound like scant consolation?

Part of the trust issues may not be doubt in God’s power or faithfulness, but our unbelief that we could experience great joy, lead fulfilled lives and have a filled heart despite the costs of obedience. We fear that the costs would make us unhappy people. I grappled with this at different crossroads, and still doing so now. Much of the following Christ journey entails denying self, letting go of pleasures, and trusting that we can lead joyous, fulfilled lives even in our call.  

I still find myself shrinking back from what God is asking me to do sometimes. But when I do follow, I’ve experienced unexplainable peace and joy that comes with God’s deliverance. If we seek God’s heart, it’s true that life may not be easy. We will be burdened with things that God is burdened with and they can be some of the toughest burdens that keep you up at night. However, we'll learn how to deal with those burdens with God’s strength and learn reliance, leaving much of what we can’t control to God.

With the same burdens as God, there is a sense of comfort in being closer to God as one understands a bit better the love and pain God feels towards His beloved. Accompanying the burdens are also unprecedented joys. Much like how we’re burdened by the same things God is burdened with, we also celebrate and feel joy towards things God is joyous about. And that feeling is mighty precious. You feel yourself being moulded and transformed, and find delight in caring for and celebrating things of eternal value. It makes following God’s call, despite the costs, all worth it.

REST

Father, may we take that step of faith and fulfil our destinies for your will. You acknowledge our fears, but have proven that our worries are irrelevant as You have it all covered. If only we worry less about our inadequacies or sacrifices, and obey and trust more, we would come to experience the far more enriching life you prepared for us. Help us realise this truth. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Chris Chong