Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified of them, or I will terrify you before them.

Jeremiah 1:17 NIV

Readiness requires active participation. Preparation is not passive. GET YOURSELF READY. There is much God can do but a lot of it is up to us. God can call & even though we respond with our mouth, we have to do the work with our life. This is one of the recurring themes in Jeremiah, all talk & no action, or pointless action just because & the heart isn’t there.

You are always on their lips but far from their hearts

Jeremiah 12:2 NIV

It’s not enough just to be aware & acknowledge without subsequent action. Real, meaningful from the heart action; not circumcised only in the flesh & not in heart (Jeremiah 9:25-26). God wants the real.

He Already Knows

That’s why God starts out telling Jeremiah, “I formed you, I knew & know you, I set you apart, I appointed you, so, I know what you are capable of because I put it there.

When we are willing, He makes us into what we need to fulfill, to completion what He made us, set us apart for.

I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar, and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land…

Jeremiah 1:18

The purpose, the calling God formed, created Jeremiah for required fortification. It required tenacity & strength. It required faith & complete trust in God that He would be with him & rescue him (Jer 1:19). That even though he would face opposition, even though he would be fought against, he would not be overcome because God would be with him.

Fear God, Not People

God does not promise us the absence of opposition or struggle or fights or war, but, He does promise that in our obedience to His will, He will be with us & we will not be overcome. He will fortify.