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Today’s Theme for Prayer – Jesus Calls Me Beyond Myself
How Generous is My Response to the Lord?
From Jeremiah’s Calling to Jesus’ Commission: Finding Your Purpose in Him
Jer 1:4-10
The word of the LORD came to me: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you. “Ah, Lord GOD!” I said, “I do not know how to speak. I am too young!” But the LORD answered me, Do not say, “I am too young.” To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you—oracle of the LORD. Then the LORD extended his hand and touched my mouth, saying to me, See, I place my words in your mouth! Today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms, To uproot and to tear down, to destroy and to demolish, to build and to plant.
Grace Prayed For
The Grace of Knowing You Are Chosen and Loved: . This passage reveals God’s initiative in choosing us. Pray for the grace to internalize this truth and live in the security of His love.
Reflection
This passage from Jeremiah 1:4-10 offers a powerful glimpse into the intimate relationship between God and His prophet, and it holds profound truths that can draw us closer to Jesus. Let’s reflect on this divine calling and how it illuminates our own journey with the Lord.
Chosen Before Time:
The passage begins with a breathtaking declaration: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you.” Before Jeremiah even existed, God knew him, had a plan for him, and had set him apart for a specific purpose. This isn’t just about Jeremiah; it’s a reflection of God’s heart towards each of us.
Think about this in light of Jesus. In Ephesians 1:4, we read that God “chose us in him [Christ] before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” Before the foundation of the world, you were in God’s mind, chosen and loved in Christ. This is the depth of God’s love, a love that predates our very existence. Jesus was chosen to be our Savior, and in Him, we are chosen to be God’s children. Let this truth sink deep into your heart: you are not an accident. You are known, loved, and chosen by the Creator of the universe.
From Inadequacy to Empowerment:
Jeremiah’s response is one of understandable hesitation: “I do not know how to speak. I am too young!” He feels inadequate, unequipped for the task God has set before him. Perhaps you can relate. Maybe you feel too young, too old, too inexperienced, too broken, or simply not good enough to be used by God.
But God doesn’t see us the way we see ourselves. He doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.
Jesus, too, chose disciples who seemed inadequate by worldly standards. Fishermen, tax collectors, ordinary people – they were not the religious elite or the powerful. Yet, Jesus saw their potential, their hearts, and He equipped them to change the world. He does the same for us.
God’s Promise and Provision:
God’s response to Jeremiah’s fear is a powerful reassurance: “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you.”
This is not just a command; it’s a promise. God doesn’t send us out on our own. He promises His presence, His guidance, and His protection. He equips us for the task He has called us to.
Jesus echoes this promise in the Great Commission: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). He promises to be with us, to empower us by His Spirit, to guide us into all truth. We are not alone in our journey of faith.
The Touch of God:
Then comes a beautiful and symbolic act: “Then the LORD extended his hand and touched my mouth, saying to me, ‘See, I place my words in your mouth!'” This is a picture of God’s empowering grace. He doesn’t just call us; He equips us. He gives us the very words we need.
This is what Jesus does for us through the Holy Spirit. He gives us the words to speak, the wisdom to discern, and the power to live out our faith. John 14:26 says, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” We are not left to our own devices; we have the Spirit of God living within us, guiding and empowering us.
A Call to Transformation:
God’s call on Jeremiah’s life wasn’t just about speaking comforting words. It was a call to be an agent of transformation: “To uproot and to tear down, to destroy and to demolish, to build and to plant.” This speaks of breaking down the old to make way for the new, a process that can be both challenging and necessary.
Jesus calls us to a similar transformative life. He calls us to die to ourselves, to let go of our old ways, and to embrace a new life in Him. This process may involve “uprooting” sin, “tearing down” strongholds, and “demolishing” false idols in our lives. But it is also about “building” and “planting” the kingdom of God, both in our own hearts and in the world around us.
Just as God called Jeremiah, He calls each of us to a unique purpose. He has placed His words in our mouths through the teachings of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. Let us, like Jeremiah, respond to His call with a willing heart, trusting in His promise to be with us every step of the way. Let us allow Him to uproot and tear down all that hinders us, and to build and plant His kingdom within us, that we may reflect the love and grace of Jesus to a world in desperate need of Him.
Growing in Intimacy/Union with Jesus
This passage ultimately draws us closer to Jesus by reminding us that:
He calls us to a life of transformation, both inwardly and outwardly.
We are known and loved by God from before time.
Our inadequacies do not disqualify us from His service.
He promises to be with us and to equip us for His purposes.
He empowers us by His Spirit to speak His words and live out His truth.
When Time Allows Reflect on the Posts in Library and Musings
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post