The most important phrase in this text, I believe, is: “the word of the Lord.” Everything that follows was given and directed by God. Not merely foreknown, but also consecrated, Jeremiah was prepared and set aside for the special service of the prophetic ministry. And those whom God calls, he also equips. The One who calls also enables!
The fact that God was calling should have been sufficient assurance for Jeremiah. Rather, he responds with hesitancy, doubt, and lack of faith. Jeremiah was rebuked – “Do not say, ‘I am a youth’” – then, he was reassured – “‘Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, and all that I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, For I am with you to deliver you,’ declares the Lord” (1:7,8).
Not only was God with the prophet, but he would put his own words in Jeremiah’s mouth. The young man must not fret about what he would say (1:9). The principle played out in Paul’s life was also at work in Jeremiah’s ministry: “it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me (Gal. 2:20). Here is the great event in the life of anyone who would serve God – destruction of self and reliance upon God.
I am trusting You to give me power to obey,
Faith to trust in future glory while here I stay.
I am trusting You, Lord Jesus; Never let me fall;
I am trusting You forever, trusting You for all. --Frances Havergal