| This leader was a little apprehensive to begin with | | | | exist, and by becoming more heavily involved in |
| when it came to speaking out on certain specific | | | | idolatry. If he would not preach what God was |
| crucial issues concerning the nation. It is seldom an | | | | revealing, he would be shamed and embarrassed |
| easy task to fulfill and particularly when specific sin | | | | in front of the nation. Jeremiah had the option of |
| and sins have to be pointed out to people who | | | | appearing a fool or a fortress. |
| may not want to hear that prophetic voice. | | | | If we are afraid of people, God may make us |
| Many prophets experience this, and Jeremiah was | | | | ashamed in front of people. Everyone has the |
| no exception, but God anointed him with the | | | | ability to influence others for good or for bad. Our |
| essential courage and boldness, as his mouth was | | | | lives shape those around us in profound ways, |
| filled with light and truth. God can be relied upon to | | | | much more than we think. |
| anoint His chosen servants with whatever they | | | | Jeremiah was raised up to exercise the influence |
| might require to carry out the ministry to which | | | | God wanted him to exert. He knew what was |
| he has called them. We need to know that and | | | | important, and he lived for what was important. |
| remember that, because in times of criticism, | | | | He would appear like a fortified city, with iron |
| opposition and persecution, it is vitally important to | | | | pillars, and a bronze wall. Now, he probably did not |
| know that we are doing what God would have us | | | | always feel the reassuring strength of these |
| do. | | | | facts. |
| This evaluation and judgment need not be | | | | When everybody would be against Jeremiah, God |
| subjective. There is a way of knowing that we | | | | was for him. With Jeremiah the wrestling soon |
| have the calling of the living God upon our lives. | | | | stopped, and it was much more than mere |
| The Word of God will support us in the first | | | | words. We influence those around us, through our |
| instance, and praying people will surround us with | | | | actions, rather than our intentions. This prophetic |
| that reassurance which comes from prayer. | | | | leader was always available to God, and never off |
| Jeremiah realised he had to tell bad news to | | | | duty, not even when his enemies rejected him |
| people, knowing they would not believe him. | | | | and imprisoned him. Our limited choice may be to |
| People had brought most of their troubles upon | | | | rebel or obey. He made things happen, because |
| themselves by running after gods which did not | | | | he thought differently from others. |