Some people are called to a tough life. What they experience and have to do is more stringent than most people. God has built and equipped them for this role. They can endure more than most humans. Jeremiah was a person like this. He was called to stand up to the rulers of Israel. God may invite you to stand like Jeremiah, so prepare to take a stand.
Jeremiah 1:10,17, 19
“See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, To root out and to pull down, To destroy and to throw down, To build and to plant.” “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. “They will fight against you, But they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you,” says the LORD, “to deliver you.”
Hard Calling
There is no more brutal calling in serving Jesus than the Jeremiah calling. He was called to speak the truth and stand for righteousness in the face of adversity. It wasn’t easy, which is why Jeremiah was known as the weeping prophet. He was in Jerusalem when it fell to Babylon, stood before wicked kings and priests calling them out before God, and was thrown into a water cistern where he sunk up to his knees in the miry clay. God called him to do some crazy things as well. It wasn’t a comfortable life, and he wanted to quit multiple times, but he stuck with it, and God protected him.
Stand for God
Standing for God is not easy, but we can learn a lot from Jeremiah. First, we are ALL called to the nations to preach the Gospel. Wherever we go, we are to share the Gospel. Second, we are called to speak the truth. The truth roots out and throws down lies, deception, and wickedness. If we don’t speak the truth, sin wins. Third, we are also called to speak the Word of God. We do this by encouraging those who are struggling with scripture. A well-timed word can be a spring of water in the middle of the desert for those struggling. Finally, we need to stand firm.
Prepare to Take a Stand
If you share the Gospel, prepare to take a stand. Speak the Word of God, and you will meet resistance. Darkness does not like the light and will fight back. Often that resistance will come from someone who says you’re not loving enough—stand Firm. Don’t back down. Stay true to Jesus and watch Him fight for you. He will deliver you. There is one more encouragement. While it may seem like the going is tough, you are also planting seeds and building the kingdom—stand firm.