Scripture:
Jeremiah 1:4-10 NKJV
[4] Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: [5] “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” [6] Then said I: “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” [7] But the Lord said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak. [8] Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord. [9] Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. [10] See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, To root out and to pull down, To destroy and to throw down, To build and to plant.”
Observation:
These verses have been brought to me several times over the last week or so. I could count the ways and explain them but the two that are most prominent are the song that I heard referring to this particular passage, and the movie that just so happened to come on regarding the life of Jeremiah. When things like that happen I feel like the LORD is trying to tell me something. In fact it’s one of the ways that the LORD spoke to Jeremiah. HE would place something in front of him and ask him what he saw, than plant a message in his heart as a result of what he had seen or heard, so I believe that there is a message here for us this morning, let’s find out what the LORD has to tell us this morning as we dive into HIS word. These scriptures are found right at the beginning of the book of Jeremiah, it begins to describe how the LORD had called him to be a prophet to the nations, saying, “Then the word of the LORD came to me saying: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Most biblical scholars believe this happened right around or between the ages of 17 to 25. Even though there was no specific age to be a prophet, Jeremiah did not think he was ready, but the LORD knew exactly why HE had placed him in the womb. There was no mistake. Giving the best excuse he could come up with, he appeals to the lack of wisdom that he may have by saying, “Behold, I can not speak, for I am only a youth.” Jeremiah knew that those he would have to correct and or speak to were older and seemingly wiser than he was. Convincing them that the LORD had spoken to him and called him to be a prophet was not going to be easy. He wasn’t looking at some neatly framed 8×11 piece of paper with his name on it saying he had earned the right to be a prophet. What he had was a calling from the one who formed him, the one who had set him apart before he was ever placed in the womb. The response the LORD gave him was perfect, “Do not say, I am a youth,’ for you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak.” I’m sure that as a young man this whole situation was rather overwhelming. I can imagine all the thoughts that were going through his mind, “What am “I” going to be able to say… “Why would they even listen to me?” it’s a good thing it didn’t depend on him. The LORD had called him. It wasn’t a choice he had made. The fact is that he was chosen. He didn’t wake up one day and think…. I’m going to be a prophet for GOD. In fact it happened quite the opposite. The LORD came to him and said I have a plan for you, its something that I have chosen and created you for. I have set you aside and appointed you for this. The fear had to be heavy and the LORD knew it and made sure HE addressed it in the same breath, “Not only will you go to whom I send you but I will be with you, so there is no reason for fear, I (the LORD) will deliver you.” It was HIS plan and could not be charged. Many years later Paul explained that when he wrote the letter to the Romans in chapter 11 saying, “The gifts and calling of GOD are irrevocable.” They can’t be changed, and there are no excuses. As the LORD moved Jeremiah into the position that HE had called him to, HE touched his mouth, placing HIS word in it, making the statement,” I have placed my word in your mouth.” The point that is made here is clear as I was typing I could hear the common statement being said. GOD does not call the qualified, HE qualifies the called. Those who had been in leadership had put together a system that was not of GOD. The calling that the LORD placed on Jeremiah was to pull down and destroy that system, and build and plant what HE had intended from the beginning. It was a heavy calling, and Jeremiah would not gain friends, in fact when he spoke what the LORD placed in his mouth, most people would not like him. Taring down a belief system and rebuilding in the right way doesn’t make for good relationships.
Application:
This is not something you can just decide to do. It’s something that GOD places inside of you. I remember that day I was called. I wasn’t ready. In fact I still don’t think I’m ready, but I see GOD moving me in a direction and its scary, but what I know and have learned over the years is, it’s not about me, HE has placed HIS word inside of me, i can’t help but speak what HE has planted so deep in my heart. It’s almost as if HE has removed everything else and placed a passion inside of me to speak whatever HE tells me to. Here is how it happened for me. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was on my way to prison at 19 years old. I was scared half to death. I had heard all the things. If you are anything like me you have probably heard them …. You better never go to prison they will…. Do this and do that. As I was waiting in the county jail for trial. I began to study the bible. I needed answers and something deep inside me said that’s where they were. As I started to seek GOD in that time HE began to reveal HIMSELF to me. One night as I was trying to sleep, I was at the point where I was half awake and half asleep, but aware of everything going on around me. In that state I had what I believe to be a vision. I was sitting at the card table with the men I had been studying the Bible with. In the corner of the cell next to the ceiling there was a bright light. Something inside me said it was there for me. Up until that day I had never felt fear and peace at that same time. But I experienced it that day. As I sat there looking up at that light. It swooped down on me knocking me to my back… I was now scared to death, and all I heard was don’t worry, it’s just Paul. I had no idea who Paul was nor did I know much about his story….. but I woke myself up by whimpering. I told one of the men that I had been studying with what had happened….he looked at me and said, “It sounds like you were visited by the apostle Paul.” It wasn’t until years later that I came across Paul’s story. Seeing how he was called and what he went through has changed my life. I believe that day I was called. It’s taken many years and lots of suffering to get me to a point of submission to that call, and I still don’t think I’m ready, but it’s not about me. HE has called me, and right now you may be hearing HIM call you as well. My suggestion is do not hesitate. Just do whatever HE tells you. It’s a much less painful way to go. The thing is HE will not leave you alone about it. I was called at 18 or 19. I believe I am finally stepping into the calling at 52. A lot has happened between then and now, but HE has chased me right to the end of the earth and HE will do the same to you. So just turn and embrace the calling.
Prayer:
Father, I know that you have a plan, and you brought this to us this morning for a reason. I pray that your voice would be heard and tgat those whom you have placed a specific calling on would hear you, and as they listen that you would equip them for what you have in store for them. I know that I have not always been the most obedient person, but that doesn’t change what you have done. Help us to see that it’s not about us, it’s about advancing your kingdom. We may not think we are ready and if we do think we are ready we are probably not called. Father, it’s all about you. A piece of paper won’t change what you have ordained. You are the teacher, you are the counselor you will bring to mind the things we need right when we need them. Our life is not our own. The very breath that sustains us came from you. Help us to hear you clearly and be willing to be obedient. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.