Jeremiah's Call

4The word of the Lord came to me, saying,

5“Before I formed you in the womb I knew^a you,

before you were born I set you apart;

I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

6“Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”

7But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

9Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. 10See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.” (Jeremiah 1) 

Thoughts: God knows us before we are ever born.  He has a plan for us- not just for Jeremiah.  But Jeremiah doubted his ability to answer his call.  We see a little argument going on.
    First Jeremiah says he is too young.  God says to not be afraid because he is young.  God will be with him and will rescue him.  He did. 
     Then God touched his mouth and it was all over.  His message was a warning and a beacon to the nations.  Indeed, Jeremiah's message was one of the destruction of Judah and its Temple.  But he also built up- he forecast they would come back to the land in 70 years.  God has a call for each one of us.  To answer that call is the most important things we can do in this life.  

Prayer; Lord, give me grace to answer your call no matter what age.  

1-4-16 Jeremiah's Call

4The word of the Lord came to me, saying,

5“Before I formed you in the womb I knew^a you,

before you were born I set you apart;

I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

6“Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”

7But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

9Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. 10See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.” (Jeremiah 1:4-9)

Thoughts: It is too easy to say that Jeremiah was a special person and we can learn nothing from this call.  I believe we can learn many things that apply to us. 

1) God knows us before we were ever born.  He has a plan and we are a part of it.
      2) God cares about his people, but also "the nations."  God cares.
      3) When God calls, He doesn't care how strong/weak, young/old we are.  He can equip us, and often does despite our weakness.
       4) Our call is to do the Lord's bidding upon our lives (vs. 7).  We do not simply do what is comfortable.
       5) We do not need to be afraid of those who oppose God and thus oppose us.  In the end, we are called to do God's good wishes (as good) and respect His greater (greatest) power.
        6) Sometimes God's plan (vs 6) is to tear down so that things can be planted again.  There is a time when reformation will not work- and only transformation will work.  

God often uses young people, in their enthusiasm and energy, to make a difference in the life of the world and the church.  It is a mistake to think that young people can only be controlled by their hormones and that they cannot be a force for good and for God.  A single young person, on fire for God, answering God's call, can make a huge difference. 

Prayer: Lord, do it again.  Raise up young people to answer your call and do your work.  But Lord, raise me up to play a role in your work as well.