August 6
August 6
Although we are not always naturally capable of doing the work to which God calls us, he grants us the gifts, wisdom, and strength we need.
Jeremiah 1 records the moment when God called Jeremiah to be a prophet:
Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the Lord said to me,
“Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’;
for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,
and whatever I command you, you shall speak.
Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you,
declares the Lord.”
Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me,
“Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms,
to pluck up and to break down,
to destroy and to overthrow,
to build and to plant.” (Jer. 1:4–10)
God called Jeremiah to serve him at a very difficult time in Israel’s history. God’s people had forsaken him and his commands. They worshiped other gods and participated in the detestable practices of the surrounding nations. So, as a wise and holy Judge, God disciplined his people—and his discipline was severe. God did not eradicate his people, but called them back to serve him and him alone. Jeremiah needed to know that God would give him everything he needed in order to do what God was calling him to do.
Although Jeremiah’s calling was individual and unique, we can learn from it, since all of us have been called into the service of our Savior.
Before we were born, God set us apart to receive both the comfort and the call of the gospel. God decided what part we would each play in his kingdom work before we took our first breaths. He chose us for his work not because we are worthy, but because he is sovereign, loving, and wise.
We cannot let weakness or fear keep us from God’s work. Each of us is a bundle of weaknesses held together by divine grace. God calls us not because we are able, but because he is.
God will touch us with his power and give us what we need to do his work. God’s call to his kingdom work is always accompanied by his empowering grace. He gives what we need when we need it. He even fills our mouths with the right words, as he did for Jeremiah.
What a picture of God’s grace. He chooses us to go, and he goes with us, providing everything we need to do what he’s chosen us to do. This means that ministry success isn’t necessarily God’s endorsement of our wisdom and power, but rather a revelation of his.