Facing the Faces

Jeremiah was a prophet in the land of Judah during the time of King Josiah. Jeremiah was just a youth when God called him to the very serious task of sharing a message of pending judgment if God’s people would not prayerfully repent. This young prophet had a compassionate heart and prayed for Judah, even when the Lord told him not to! And is there any wonder that God grew tired of it? God had been so patient with His people, bringing them out of bondage to the Promised Land, only to watch them become idolatrous, dishonest, evil, divisive and oppressive of others.

Remember how God called Jeremiah into ministry in Jeremiah 1:4-9 NKJV: “Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.’ Then said I: ‘Ah, Lord God!  Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.’  But the Lord said to me: ‘Do not say, I am a youth, for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.  Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,’ says the Lord.  Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: ‘Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.’”

What are you saying?

God told Jeremiah not to say he was too young to respond to the call of God.  I wonder if, like me, you have found excuses to justify a big-fat-NO to God?  God, I am too shy, uneducated, scared, hurt? I don’t have spiritual gifts like so-and-so.  I’m not eloquent like him.  I can’t pray like her.  If this feels familiar, would you simply pause to hear God saying to you today, I am calling YOU?  Then respond by saying, yes, Lord.

Who or what are you looking at?

God told Jeremiah: Don’t look at their faces.  But what exactly was going on with their faces? Jeremiah 5:3 tells us, They made their faces harder than stone and refused to repent. Additionally, Jeremiah 6:15 also says: They have no shame at all. They do not even know how to blush.

Doesn’t this sound so much like 2025? No shame.  No one blushes anymore.  We are inundated with inappropriate conversations or actions in the workplace. Our kids experience intense bullying in schools and on social media.  Racial tension and violence are commonplace in many areas. Tolerance of behaviors that God calls us to turn away from is becoming more widely accepted as the norm.  Prayer is considered old fashioned.

In context, these scriptures in Jeremiah 1 are about a mandate to share God’s message, but it is also easily applicable to whatever you are facing right now. What in life feels as if it is coming against you?

People and things will come against you in this life. You will face difficulties.  You will face people who ridicule, hurt, or disregard you.

Don’t look at their faces. This is not about ignoring people or not trying to see through to the core of why someone is hurting.  The Bible clearly calls us to see others through God’s eyes.  We are called to compassionate service. This requires seeing people, even when they reject us.

But what we don’t have to do is stare into the face of the enemy who wants to destroy our souls. We do not have to peer at the lies in the mirror that say we can’t measure up.  We must stop gazing into the distorted reflections of anxieties, doubts, and fears.  We must stop letting that person paralyze us with their expressions of disdain or disregard for the message of Christ.

Jeremiah boldly shared God’s message while enduring major hardship. If Jeremiah was able to peer over the portals of heaven as Paul wrote the words of Romans 1:16, I think he would have smiled.  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.  Paul writes about his difficulties throughout his New Testament letters.  But he never fails to point to Christ.

Dear friend, whisper a prayer today, tear your eyes away from the faces that seem to stare and accuse you, and gaze instead into the loving, grace-filled face of Jesus.  Determine today to take captive every thought according to 2 Corinthians 10:5, and like Jeremiah, say yes to God’s call.

Al’Lora Leonhardt grew up in a pastor’s home and considers herself to have a rich heritage in the Church of God. She has worked alongside her husband, Mark, in ministry for over 33 years.  Together they have had the privilege of serving God in many wonderful places. Currently Al’Lora serves as the Women’s Ministries Director for the Church of God in Louisiana.

In addition to spending time with family, especially the two beautiful grandkids, Al’Lora enjoys reading, shopping, Mexican food and all things coffee. Proverbs 24:11 says, “Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.” Guided by this verse and the Great Commission of Matthew 28:16-20, Al’Lora is compelled to share the message of Jesus, considering it a privilege to get to preach at any opportunity. She co-leads local and world mission outreaches several times a year, including mission trips to Mexico, Ecuador and Tanzania.  The kids at Casa Hogar Alpha and Omega in Poza Rica Mexico have absolutely stolen her heart.