– Scripture:

‘ God told me, “Don’t say, ‘I’m only a boy.’ I’ll tell you where to go and you’ll go there. I’ll tell you what to say and you’ll say it. Don’t be afraid of a soul. I’ll be right there, looking after you.” ’s Decree.’

                              Jeremiah 1:7

– Reflection:

                No Fear

God told Jeremiah that He had set him apart before he was born, that He had called him to speak to nations, and that he would be a prophet who would impact the culture. Jeremiah, as a teenager, felt unqualified, but God assured him that He would give him the words to speak. Wherever Jeremiah went, God’s hand of favor would be on him. After making these incredible promises, God said, “Don’t be afraid of the people.” God knew that people wouldn’t understand Jeremiah and that they might not like the words of warning he was going to speak. God was saying, “Don’t let the opinions of others hold you back. Don’t let what they think or say keep you from fulfilling your purpose.”

Where do we go from here?

God is sending us the same message: “Don’t fear people. If they don’t approve of you, that shouldn’t deter you from your purpose.” The only thing that can stop you is if you allow their opinion to become more important than what God has placed in your heart.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank you for providing me with everything I need to fulfill my purpose, just as you did for Jeremiah. Thank you for making me enough just as I am, and for granting me your approval. I declare that I will not be afraid even if others don’t approve of me or oppose me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.