Theme: “Do Not Be Intimidated, Jehovah Is With You”
Let us imagine Jeremiah at the moment when Jehovah gave him his assignment. He was not receiving a simple or comfortable task. He had to speak to a people who often did not want to listen. He had to announce firm messages, denounce unfaithfulness, and stay loyal even though others mocked him, opposed him, or threatened him. If we think about that, we understand why Jeremiah did not respond with superficial enthusiasm, as if everything were easy. He saw his own limitations.
Let us read Jeremiah 1:6:
But I said: “Alas, O Sovereign Lord Jehovah! I do not know how to speak, for I am just a boy.”
After reading it, let us notice how Jeremiah describes himself: he says that he does not know how to speak and that he is just a boy. He is not making an excuse to disobey; he is expressing what he truly feels. Perhaps he saw himself as too young, too inexperienced, or too unsure for such an important mission.
Has something similar happened to us? We may feel nervous before preaching. When we think of starting a Bible conversation with a workmate or classmate, the thought may come to mind: “I won’t know what to say.” Perhaps when we receive an assignment in the congregation we think: “Others would do it better than I would.” In those moments, Jeremiah’s experience helps us a great deal, because Jehovah did not discard Jeremiah for feeling incapable. Nor did he scold him for admitting his fears. Jehovah saw in him something more important than self-confidence: he saw a willing heart.
Now let us read Jeremiah 1:8, 9:
Do not be afraid because of their faces, for ‘I am with you to save you,’ declares Jehovah.” Then Jehovah stretched out his hand and touched my mouth. Jehovah said to me: “Here I have put my words in your mouth.
As we read these verses, let us pay attention to two ideas: first, Jehovah tells him not to be intimidated; second, Jehovah himself equips him. The guarantee was not “Jeremiah, you can do it because you are very strong.” The guarantee was: “Jehovah is with you.” That difference is enormous. If our confidence depended on our personality, our experience, or our ease with words, many of us would feel out of place. But our confidence depends on Jehovah.
Verse 9 shows that Jehovah put his words in Jeremiah’s mouth. This teaches us that Jehovah does not only command us to do something; he also provides what is needed to do it. In our case, Jehovah has given us the Bible, the meetings, the organized ministry, the Bible publications, and the support of the congregation. Each of these helps shows that we do not go out to preach or serve alone.
Let us think of a practical example. A brother prepares to go out in the ministry, but he is nervous. Perhaps he has not preached much lately, or he feels intimidated by the territory. Before knocking on the first door or starting a conversation, he prays. He does not say a long or complicated prayer; he simply tells Jehovah: “Help me to speak with respect, with warmth, and with courage.” That prayer does not change all the circumstances, but it changes his focus. He no longer sees the door as a giant obstacle; he sees it as an opportunity for Jehovah to use him.
A young sister too can feel like Jeremiah when she wants to defend her beliefs at school. Perhaps she fears being ridiculed or that someone will misunderstand what she says. But if she remembers that Jehovah does not ask her to win debates, but to give a witness with respect, she can feel at peace. Perhaps she just says a simple sentence, shares a Bible text, or explains why she trusts in Jehovah. In human eyes that may seem like little, but to Jehovah it is a display of courage.
The activity guide highlights that, like Jeremiah, we may be afraid to preach or feel that we are not able to do it well. That statement is very realistic. It does not say “if it ever happens to us,” but it acknowledges that it can happen. Christian courage does not consist in feeling nothing. It consists in obeying Jehovah even when we feel fear, trusting that he will sustain us.
Besides, Jehovah did not promise Jeremiah a life without opposition. He promised him his presence. That also prepares us. Some people may not accept the message. Others may respond with indifference. A relative may tell us that he does not understand why we devote so much time to serving Jehovah. But the key question is not: “Will everyone approve of me?” The question is: “Am I sure that Jehovah is with me?”
Another important lesson is that Jehovah can use our limitations to teach humility. If Jeremiah had trusted too much in himself, he might have forgotten where his strength came from. But because he knew that he needed Jehovah, he depended on him. The same can happen to us. When we feel incapable, we pray more. When we know we do not have all the answers, we study better. When we recognize that we need help, we accept suggestions from experienced brothers. In this way, the feeling of limitation can become an opportunity to draw closer to Jehovah.
We can also encourage others with this lesson. Perhaps a new publisher says: “I don’t dare to comment” or “I find it hard to preach.” Instead of comparing him with others, we can lovingly remind him that Jehovah equipped Jeremiah and that he can equip him too. A brief comment, a simple share, or a Bible conversation of just a few minutes can be a great step of faith.
So, as we conclude, let us keep one simple idea in mind: Jehovah does not look for servants who are never afraid; he looks for servants who let him strengthen them. Jeremiah saw himself as “just a boy,” but Jehovah saw a faithful prophet. We may see ourselves as timid, limited, or ill-prepared, but Jehovah can see in us loyal and useful servants.
So, when an assignment, a difficult conversation, or an opportunity to preach comes up, let us not let intimidation decide for us. Let us remember the words that Jehovah said to Jeremiah and make them our own: Jehovah is with his servants. And when Jehovah is with us, we can do his will with courage, humility, and confidence.
