Jeremiah 1 -- It's Gonna Be Rough, But ....

God called Jeremiah to what the world would call a thankless job.  He was to declare to Judah that their unholiness had led them to ruin.  He said to Jeremiah, “Before I made you in your mother’s womb, I chose you.  Before you were born I set you apart for a special work.  I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”  Jeremiah could have been on the original episode of Dirty Jobs and God had not just cast him for the part – He’d made him into exactly what He wanted him to be.

 

Jeremiah’s answer?  Well…. It wasn’t “No”, but it wasn’t brimming with enthusiasm either.  “But Lord God, I don’t know how to speak.  I am only a boy.”  God’s answer?  “Don’t say, ‘I am only a boy.’ [In other words, no excuses]  You must go everywhere I send you, and you must say everything I tell you to say.  Don’t be afraid of anyone [notice those 3 commands] because I am with you to protect you [notice this is conditional on the three command being kept by Jeremiah, my commentary said].

 

It continued:  “When God calls us, He isn’t making a mistake, and for us to hesitate or refuse to obey is to act on the basis of unbelief and not faith.  It’s one thing for us to know our own weaknesses, but it’s quite something else for us to say that our weaknesses prevent God from getting anything done.”

 

It also said, “The Lord knew what He was doing.  What we are is God’s gift to us; what we do with it is our gift to Him.”

 

Also, “Jeremiah heard God’s Word, took it to heart, and then proclaimed it fearlessly to the people.  God did the rest.”

 

And finally, “In spite of the demands of the task and the difficulties of the times, Jeremiah accepted God’s call.  He knew his own deficiencies, but he also knew that God was greater and would enable him to do the job.”

 

Father, I’m facing several tough and trying weeks at work.  Please help me to remember that You have gifted me with what I need to accomplish the task.  Now enable me to do Your will and to be Your servant.  Let others see You at work in my life.  Let me not disappoint You or misrepresent You by getting frustrated or angry.  Show You love through me.

 

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford