A Pillar of Iron

It is difficult to pass through life without experiencing some opposition or hostility. Hardly one can move through different departments of life without confronting some formidable enemies- from within and without. It is also impossible to define oneself, build a character, and cultivate an opinion without encountering some resistance. Life is an intricate web of intimate and adversarial relationships.

Prophet Jeremiah at the beginning of his mission was a fearful man. He was surrounded by inveterate enemies. The hatred and hostilities of his own people towards him was unbearable. Later in his life, he would shout “I hear many whispering words of intrigue against me. Those who would cause me terror are everywhere!” (Jer 20:10). He was terrified and horrified. He feared for his life. He was already losing heart even before he began his mission. He felt dejected and rejected.

To reassure him the Lord spoke to him. The Lord says “do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them.  And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar and bronze walls, against the whole land…They will fight against you; but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, says the Lord, to deliver you” (Cf. Jer 1: 17-19). Hearing these encouraging words, Jeremiah became bold and fearless. He was strengthened, energized and fortified. He was ready to face anybody and anything. Indeed Jeremiah was severely persecuted. He was beaten and humiliated; imprisoned by the king; thrown into a well by temple officials; opposed by false prophets. Through all these trials he stood firm. He stood his ground. He was unconquered and unbowed. He persevered to the end.

You may be going through a tough period in your life. Perhaps you are facing some stiff opposition from your ‘enemies’.  Your worst enemies may come from your ‘inner circles’. Opposition can arise at anytime and anywhere. The enemies that you know are less dangerous. More vicious are the enemies you do not know. The worst enemies are those who pretend to be your friends; waiting for the best opportunity to betray you or strike you. You need not be surprised at the opposition you may be facing. Jesus warns us that people will hate and persecute us on account of his name (Mk 13:11-13, Jn 15:18-25).  Your enemies can also hate you for various reasons; for stupid reasons or for no reason at all!

 You may feel threatened and you are frightened- afraid of what the enemy will do next. Do not allow fear to rule and ruin your life. Fear is a terrible thing. Fear is a like a virus that eats away everything- your strength, energy, resources, time, ambitions- everything. It can deprive you of your peace of mind, joy of living, freedom of sons and daughters of God. It can take away everything.  It can reduce you to a slave; it can reduce you to nothingness. If you succumb to fear, it can determine your decisions and life style. Then you cringe and shrink. You are bowed, cowered like cowards.

If you are afraid remember the gracious words that the Lord spoke to Jeremiah. You are a fortified city. You are impregnable and unassailable; you are unconquerable. You are a pillar of iron. You are indestructible. Nobody can bend or twist you because you are a pillar of iron purified by the Pillar of fire. You are a bronze wall. You are strong. You are impenetrable. You are fortified. When the Psalmist realized how fortified he was by Yahweh, he boldly asked: the Lord is my light and my help whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life before whom shall I shrink? (Ps 27:1)

You have the seal of the Blessed Trinity. The Lord of Hosts is with you. The God of Jacob is your stronghold. If the Lord is with you who can be against you? You are washed and covered with the Blood of the Lamb. A guardian angel with a flaming sword is assigned to you-to guard you day and night. The Lord himself is your guard.  He sleeps not nor slumbers. At your right hand He stands. By day the sun shall not smite you or the moon in the night. The Lord will guard you from evil. He will guard your soul. The Lord will guard your going and coming both now and forever (Cf. Ps 121).

Permit your fear to go away. St Theophan says “you must never be afraid, if you are troubled by a flood of thoughts, that the enemy is too strong against you, that his attacks are never ending, that the war will last for your lifetime, and that you cannot avoid incessant downfalls of all kinds. Know that our enemies, with all their wiles, are in the hands of our divine Commander, our Lord Jesus Christ, for whose honour and glory you are waging war.” In place of fear, welcome courage, confidence, and boldness. You did not receive the spirit of timid (Cf. 2Tim 1:7). He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (Cf. 1Jn 4:4). Do not be afraid!