“…I am watching over my word to perform it.”—Jeremiah 1:12
We see at the start of Jeremiah 1 that the Lord created Jeremiah for a purpose—to be His prophet (v. 5). But Jeremiah protested he was too young (v. 6). God answered Jeremiah’s initial protest by admonishing him not to say he is too young, but to obey—to go—he was to speak what God commands. God then revealed Jeremiah’s deeper heart problem—his fear of man. "Do not be afraid of them," God said. "For I am with you to deliver you" (v. 8). How could Jeremiah fear if God would be with him?
The Lord then put out His hand and touched Jeremiah’s mouth and said “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth” (v. 9). He told reluctant, fearful Jeremiah that Jeremiah would have authority over nations and over kingdoms, "to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant" (v. 10).
To any of us, and certainly to a young Hebrew boy, this would sound unbelievable, but God gave His reassurance: “I am watching over My word to perform it.” This had to be the moment Jeremiah’s pulse began to slow . Now he could see that what God said would take place would, not because God’s young prophet was strong, articulate and capable, but because God would be watching over His word to perform it.
The attention we give something is evidence of how deeply we value it. Husbands and wives love and cherish each other. Fathers and mothers are highly attentive to their precious children. We are watchful over our church and its teaching. We are guarding our hearts and watchful for Christ’s return.
As valuable as God’s word is to each of us who believe, it is infinitely, eternally more precious to Him. It reveals His qualities and attributes, actively holds all things together, and goes forth to accomplish His will.
Let this verse help you to place your confidence fully in God and not in yourself. Whether you are being sent to take His word to the far reaches of the globe or to the neighbor across the street, He has promised to fulfill His word. It is astonishing that God would include us and work through us to bring His word to a dark world. But the very fact that we are weak and not strong, not noble, not wise is fitting for the people who have been saved to glorify the One who is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. He is at work in us to will and to work for His good pleasure (Philippians 4:13). And so, we can be utterly confident in God that the fruit of our obedience to His call on our lives is borne not by our efforts, but by His watchful care over His word in the perfection of His will. He is watching over His word to perform it.
For Reflection
Consider the following verses to learn more of what God says concerning His word: Genesis 1; Deuteronomy 4; Psalm 19:7-11; 119, Isaiah 40:8; 55:11; 66:2; Jeremiah 15:16; Mark 13:31; John 1:1, 14; 12:48; Romans 10:17; 12:1-2; Ephesians 1:13; Hebrews 4:12, 11:3; James 1:18; Revelation 3:8.
What do you learn about God's word from these passages?
Ask God to impress His word on your heart and increase your faith in His promises.