“For behold, I have made you this day A fortified city and an iron pillar, And bronze walls against the whole land— Against the kings of Judah, Against its princes, Against its priests, And against the people of the land.” Jeremiah 1:18
REFERENCE:
We all have a sense of mission, a driving conviction that our life is about something, and we ought to be doing it. We often desire to be or do more than we presently are, and we have an innate desire to want to better our lot. In several instances, what keeps us immobilized is anxiety over the obstacles that line the path to fulfillment. We give up on things we should do because the cost seems unbearable. But, you are fortified for the mission.
God sent Jeremiah to prophesy to Judah during their spiritual decline and impending demise. His message was not popular as he foretold of the northern invaders that would ravage the land and enslave the people. When Jeremiah brought a seeming message of hope, it was also not popular; he encouraged the people in exile to build houses and plant vineyards in their land of captivity when all they wanted to hear was their return home – Jeremiah 29:4-6.
The people rejected Jeremiah’s message; he was despised and mistreated (Jeremiah 20:1-2). Therefore, God, knowing the nature of his mission and the rebellious nature of his audience, fortified him for the mission. God told Jeremiah, I am making you like a fortified impregnable city. They will fight against you, but you will be an unassailable and undefeatable wall and an iron pillar.
God’s promise to Jeremiah holds for you today. You have been equipped for your life’s mission and empowered to tackle whatever challenges it might pose as you pursue it – financial, human, policy, demonic, delays, etc. You may have a project that has hit a roadblock for the past 16 months, but God will keep a destiny appointment with you. Dig deep within; you have the skill, wisdom, resilience, tenacity, and quick bounce-back rate to excel in your work.
At first sight of clap back, assault, obstacle, or people’s opinion, Jeremiah could have given up, but he remembered God’s promise. God has also fortified you for your mission; He says, “You are fortified, Yetunde. You are built to last, Rebecca. You have what it takes Peter. Don’t be afraid, Tonye; move on!” You are fortified for the mission. May you find protection and speed in God as you go on your mission. God has fortified you to endure the struggle; you will win.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
Jeremiah 1:5-10, Ezekiel 3:8, and Jeremiah 38:6-11
PRAYER:
+ Lord, help me to always walk in the consciousness that I am fortified for my life’s mission.
+ I refuse to quit on my journey because of difficulties, winding turns, potholes, or roadblocks.
+ Lord, I pray for new fortifications as I aspire to take new frontiers in my career, family, and business.