Jeremiah 1:8 Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord. 17 “Therefore prepare yourself and arise, And speak to them all that I command you. Do not be dismayed before their faces, Lest I dismay you before them. 18 For behold, I have made you this day A fortified city and an iron pillar, And bronze walls against the whole land— Against the kings of Judah, Against its princes, Against its priests, And against the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you, But they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you,” says the Lord, “to deliver you.”
There is much hostility out in the streets today - say or do something out of place - and people are ready to jump at you with uncalled for rage.
God's Truth particularly inflames people. It doesn't sit comfortably with "anything goes", where absolutes are being shredded like unwanted documents!
Yet God hasn't abdicated His Sovereignty or changed His Values.
His Word is still as active and alert today as in the time of Jeremiah.
Being timid, I do have a problem with facing people, even those who are friendly. I would rather retreat to the safety of home and avoid people as much as possible.
I guess the lockdown has made human interaction more difficult too.
For my part, I definitely don't like conflict.
Jeremiah must have been the same way when the Lord chose him.
He didn't feel up to the task, he was young and thought that no one would listen to him.
Notice how God picks the reluctant and the unlikely - those who would rather blend into the background - Moses and Gideon - are two "heroes" like that.
If you're feeling inadequate, you're probably just the one that God can use in your social sphere, workplace or school. Your ego won't get in the way.
Prayer:
Father God, I admit to being scared of "hostile faces". Please brace up my heart to speak up for You and Your Truth - in Jesus' Name - Amen.
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