Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Words of Encouragement

Jeremiah had to go wherever God sent him.  He had to go to the potter's house and gain understanding of a message God wanted him to give.  God will do the same in us today, if he sends us to gain understanding, we must be willing to go.
                                                                                                                                The word of the LORD came to me, saying, "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."  "Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child." But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD. Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant." - Jeremiah 1:4-10

You Want Me? Jeremiah: I'm Too Young! The Prophet Jeremiah was called by God at an early age to speak his words. Some scholars give Jeremiah the age of between 12-20 at the time of his calling to speak God's word. 

Whatever his age, Jeremiah was fearful of his ability to speak because of his age. Yet God assures him that he will speak through him.  The scripture says that God touched Jeremiah's mouth and in doing so, anointed his mouth the speak the words he would appoint to come through him.  Jeremiah would speak words that would be given over nations and kingdom.  The words Jeremiah would speak would tear down and build up.

They would tear down false beliefs and lies or tricks of deception.  They would build up God's truth and standard. Surely to speak for God in such a way is not always easy nor is it easily accepted.  To speak the truth no matter whom you must face is difficult for Jeremiah.  It is also difficult because who wants to believe one so young?  The beauty is this, God can call and use whomever he desires to use.  It does not matter you age nor does it matter your experience.

In this instant you may not be young in age, but maybe you are feeling the resistence because of lack of spiritual maturity, or lack in wisdom or anything that makes you feel "too young" to accept the assignment God has for you.  Yet, if God is going to call you to do something, he is also going to equip you to do it.

So today, I pray for us that we accept those assignments given to us by God and do not be afraid of what is lacking in us, because God will touch us and put into us what we will need for the journey, if we let him.