March 6: Accept God’s assignment

Steve Smartt is pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church in St. Augustine.

Just as Paul was “set apart for the Gospel of God” (Romans 1:1), the same One who gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers is the One who called forth Jeremiah to be “a prophet to the nations.” Likewise, as believers in Christ, we have been set apart for His glory and have been given the task of exalting His name among the kingdoms of the world. Therefore, as we begin our study of this prophetic book, it is appropriate to give attention first to the nature of Jeremiah’s calling and to recognize parallels that should challenge us to accept the assignment to which we ourselves have been called.

The “Word of the Lord came to him” and set Jeremiah apart for his prophetic obligation (4-5). His calling had begun long before His realization of God’s hand. Like the Apostle Paul, the responsibility that he would carry would take him before kings and spiritual “leaders” and would cause him to face the task of proclaiming an often unpopular message. This, however, was his blessing. God, in His sovereignty, had set Jeremiah apart for a specific commission, to bring forth His Word during the tumultuous era of Judah’s exile.

Typical to human nature, however, the call of God on Jeremiah’s life was met with a hesitant response. Claiming to be “only a child,” Jeremiah’s defense was immediately rebuked with an insistent “You must go …” Consequently, this firmness is followed with an assurance of protection and purpose, and finally, with a tangible demonstration of His empowering (6-10).

Having assured Jeremiah of His presence (8), God pledges His preparation (9) and declares the purpose for Jeremiah to follow (10). He is to “uproot and teardown, to destroy and to overthrow” as He delivers the message of God’s wrath. Yet, his commission would also allow him the opportunity “to build and to plant.” Therefore, though his message would be difficult to deliver, he would also share a message of hope in the midst of God’s judgment.

To confirm the reality of His Words being fulfilled, God allowed Jeremiah to witness two visions (11-15a). He first offered the assurance that He would be actively watching to guarantee that His Word would come to pass. He then showed Him that His judgment was a certain reality. These visions confirmed and reinforced the mission that Jeremiah had been called to declare. His message would be one of judgment that would most definitely be fulfilled.

With words of assurance, God offers confidence to Jeremiah for Him to hold fast (17-19). As long as Jeremiah looked to Him and obeyed Him, God would guarantee His success. Therefore, the success of Jeremiah’s calling was not based on the response of those to whom he had been sent, but rather on his obedience to the One who had sent him. His accountability was to God for the task of His calling.

Just as God had assigned this mission to Jeremiah, He has also called out His church and gifted each of us according to His will that we should answer in obedience. Paul tells the Ephesians, “From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Eph. 4:16). For that reason, it is evident that, like Jeremiah, God has equipped us to accomplish the tasks that He has assigned. There is only One to whom we must answer, and He has given us the assurance through His Word that we will see victory as we depend on, and obey, His command. Our success is in the faithful discharge of our calling, that Christ might be glorified in all we say and do.