11 The word of the Lord came to me: ‘What do you see, Jeremiah?’ ‘I see the branch of an almond tree,’ I replied. 12 The Lord said to me, ‘You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.’

13 The word of the Lord came to me again: ‘What do you see?’ ‘I see a pot that is boiling,’ I answered. ‘It is tilting towards us from the north.’ 14 The Lord said to me, ‘From the north disaster will be poured out on all who live in the land.

15 I am about to summon all the peoples of the northern kingdoms,’ declares the Lord. ‘Their kings will come and set up their thrones in the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem; they will come against all her surrounding walls and against all the towns of Judah. 16 I will pronounce my judgements on my people because of their wickedness in forsaking me, in burning incense to other gods and in worshipping what their hands have made.

17 ‘Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. 18 Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land - against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,’ declares the Lord. Jeremiah 1:11-19 New International Version

We often hear sermons about the good news of the gospel which tells people of God's wonderful love in sending a saviour to the world. Today's reading reminds us that there is bad news too! What was the message God gave Jeremiah through the vision he saw in vs 13-14?

A pot of boiling liquid about to be poured over the land! Not the sort of message that would make Jeremiah popular. But there was more to come. Why was God going to stir up nations from the North to invade the cities and towns of Judah? (vs 15-16)

The people had turned their backs on God and committed spiritual adultery with idols. Again, you can guess the sort of reaction and response Jeremiah would get when he gave that message to people who thought there lives were just fine. But God knew that. He warns Jeremiah that the people are going to 'fight against him' (vs 19) but that he must not be terrified by their hostility. (vs 17). God showed and said three things to Jeremiah to encourage him to tell the people the bad news.

What was the encouragement of the vision in vs 11-12?

The almond tree blossomed before the other trees and was like a herald announcing Spring. So the message God was giving Jeremiah would take place just as surely as Spring follows the blossoming of the almond tree. Jeremiah could speak God’s word with confidence.

How would the words of vs 18 have helped Jeremiah?

In vs 1-10 Jeremiah had said he was too young and inexperienced to be God's prophet – but God assures him here that He would make Jeremiah as strong as anyone who opposed him, even as strong as the King and all his officials. Then God gives him the promise we see in vs 19. And what was the promise there?

God assured Jeremiah that He was not only watching over His word (vs 12), but He was watching over Jeremiah too. Christians should keep this mind as we seek to make God's word known in our generation. We also have bad news as well as good news. The gospel doesn't only speak of heaven - it also warns of hell. That's not a popular message and many people will react harshly to it. But Jesus also promised to be with His people as we seek to make all of God's message known to others – the bad news as well as the good.