Forty Days of Prayer: Day 20
Jeremiah 1:4-10
The word of the Lord came to me, saying,
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
"Alas, Sovereign Lord," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am too young."
But 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. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you.," declares the Lord.
The the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "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."
In our passage today God and Jeremiah are dialoging with each other. Before I write about anything else in this post, let us remember that prayer is not a one way conversation in which we are the only one talking; rather, He too has something to say to us. He speaks to us every day through His word and His spirit. So, let's use the words above as His dialogue not just to Jeremiah, but also to our very own hearts today. What is the Lord saying through His living and active words? Here are a few things I "hear" that are for you and for me. God says:
I knew you before you were born.
I have set you apart and appointed you for My purposes.
Do not say, "I am too ______".
Obey every word I give you, no matter the opposition.
Do not be afraid. I am with you!
I will touch you. I will put my words in your mouth to fulfill what I've asked you to do.
Ladies, we are today's Jeremiah. (We are also today's David, today's Samuel, today's Moses, today's Ruth, today's Esther...for such a time as this!) Allow God's interaction with these people of old to be the inspiration for His appointed purposes in you TODAY. What He said to them in the past, is now for our hearts in the present. Let's continue to bring all our prayers to Him, big and small, but also, let's hang around long enough to hear His words back to us. What is He asking you to do today for His name sake? Write a note to a friend? Make a meal for a neighbor? Visit a widow? Sign up for a retreat:)?
Reread the list above and walk forward in obedience with great faith. And let me remind you, God is just as pleased with a note of encouragement to one person as He is with someone speaking to the masses. Both are important callings, but He never "keeps count" of what's "more worthy" the way we humans tend to do. He sees the heart and smiles at our devotion to Him. (Think of the widow's mite found in Luke 21:1-4).
Kit refers to Jeremiah's ministry as very challenging, and it certainly was that! But the "weeping prophet" remained steadfast to the end of his days. Also Kit said this about him, "I wonder if he every regrets answering God's call from where he sits today--I seriously doubt it! He found his place, made his impact, and left a powerful legacy."
Soul Sister's, let's all be today's Jeremiah. Dialogue with God, receive His incredible promises, and then do something for Him...today.
For further reading: Exodus 3:4; Isaiah 6:8; 1 Samuel 3:10; 1 Samuel 16:7-12; Esther 4:14; Matthew 28:17-20
Dear Lord,
You knew each one of us when we were only a thought in Your mind--and You smiled. From the beginning, You have great things planned for us! Slow us down to hear Your voice. Your calling in our lives starts with one step of faith. Thank You for the privilege of being touched permanently by Your spirit. Now, help us to spread Your glory to the world. Amen.
