Jeremiah 1:11-19

“These are rough times in this country to express an opinion.” Humorist Will Rogers, Dec. 16, 1929

As a long-serving local church pastor, I face a tension keeping unity in the fellowship and speaking forth prophetic insights on Sunday. These are rough times. Religious people have been known to stone their prophets.  True prophets rarely pastor a church for long. It is much easier to be a prophet when your family’s livelihood is not involved.

Jeremiah’s call as a young man included a vision test: What do you see, Jeremiah? Before the office was elevated in 1 Samuel, prophets were called seers, somewhat like a fortune teller. True prophets tell forth the future consequences of sinful actions and ethical irresponsibility. Their insights are directed toward God’s own people (believers and hypocrites alike) and to those who are in positions of power and authority. It includes a call to both personal and societal repentance of sin, and a change of ways to match God’s will. With a possible play on words, God’s response was, I’m watching what you see, Jeremiah.

Jeremiah’s call also includes a call to personal action: Get yourself ready…Do not be terrified, or I will terrify you…I am with you and will rescue you. Jeremiah felt the tension. How does this word about prophetic insight apply to us today? How do we manage the emotional need to please everyone and not cause more rough times? How far are we willing to go in trusting God?  What do you see?

Keep healthy. Pray mightily. Enjoy your life today. Stand firm with God. And let’s experience the love and power of God together,

(Adapted from Bro. Darryl’s devotional based on Jeremiah 1:11-19 for the Center for Congregational Ethics, for August 23, 2025)

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