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In Christ, Mark
In Christ, Mark
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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.
“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.
Jeremiah
1:6-8
This ends today’s reading from God's holy
word. Thanks be to God.
In the opening verses of Jeremiah, we find the Lord
speaking to the priest of the tribe of Benjamin, telling him that he had been
purposed to be a prophet since before he was formed in his mother’s womb. The
time had come for Jeremiah to fulfill that purpose now and serve the Lord as
His messenger, going wherever the Lord would send him to deliver whatever the
Lord would tell him to say.
Now, it’s important to remember that the work of a prophet
wasn’t exactly the easiest job in the world. In fact, it was downright
difficult and even dangerous. For the prophet was often sent to deliver
warnings to any person or group of people who were living in sinfulness, those
messages usually going like this:
This is what the Lord says, “Stop sinning or you will
suffer His wrath and judgment!”
Note the prophet telling them that the words were coming
from the Lord but oftentimes, the people didn’t care about that. They would
rebut and reject the message and sometimes abuse and attack the messenger.
After all, he was more accessible to them than God. The prophet certainly had
to step out on faith and believe that God was with them, ready to protect them
from harm if the need would arise.
Turning back to Jeremiah, we find the prophet begin to
question the Lord as to whether or not he was really the right person for the
prophet position. Let’s look back to our scripture verses for today to find out
what Jeremiah was concerned about:
“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. Jeremiah
1:6-8
As we look at the words of Jeremiah, we see that he has no
intention of disrespecting the Lord with his words. Rather, he addresses God as
Sovereign Lord, indicating that he acknowledged and valued God’s power,
authority, and position as King of all kings, the Ruler of all.
The concern of Jeremiah centers around his age. He believed
he was too young to be able to represent the Lord in communicating with others.
He was just a mere youth with no formal speaking experience or ability. How
would he be able to effectively and successfully carry out what God called him
to do?
That was the operational question in Jeremiah’s mind.
Maybe you have the same doubts in your own mind when it
comes to being obedient to what the Lord is calling you to do. Jeremiah’s
assumed barrier was his youth. Others may have other traits that lead to seeds
of doubt being planted in their minds and hearts, feelings of inadequacy or
incapability to do what the Lord is asking them to do. The enemy is very good
about manipulating us toward having reservations about our abilities,
especially as it applies to serving the Lord and carrying out the purposes He
has made us for. Perhaps, like Jeremiah, we have anxieties about being able to
effectively speak the Lord’s messages to people publicly. Indeed, there are
many people who are terrified about having to get up in front of a group and
say anything.
Are you one of them?
If so, then the Lord has a word for you today, the same
words he had for his young, soon-to-be prophet:
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 Lord told Jeremiah not to say he was too young. You can
substitute whatever barrier exists between you and being the Lord’s messenger and
the Lord would tell you not to make it an issue.
Why?
Because the Lord will tell us what to say wherever He sends
us and will not be absent when we carry out His commands but be right there by
our side to rescue us if the need arises. With this assurance, we have no
reason to be afraid.
In other words, we have no excuse or other option when it
comes to answering the call of the Lord when it comes. We are to simply go and
do what He says, confident He is alongside just as He promised He would be.
Friends, we’re all called to be the Lord’s messengers.
Jesus saw to it that it would be this way when He gave us the Great Commission:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has
been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and
teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you
always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
Did you see any options given here?
I didn’t.
All Christians are to go and make disciples of all nations.
All Christians are to see that new believers are baptized
in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
All Christians are to teach all people to obey everything
that Jesus commanded.
All Christians are commanded to do these things without
reservation. For just as God was always going to be with Jeremiah as he
delivered His messages, so too is Jesus with us as we go forth to carry out His
Great Commission.
For look at the last words of the Commission. Jesus is with
us until the end of the age. We are not doing His work alone but rather
partnered with Him every step of the way as He walks with us, imparts His
wisdom and direction to us, and protects us from harm.
How well are you answering Jesus’ call in your life?
Are you using excuses to shirk your responsibilities,
disobedient to what Jesus called you to do?
Or are you going forth boldly, sharing the Gospel with
others without fear or reservation because you know Jesus is with you, ready to
rescue you if trouble comes and giving you the right words to say, words that
will ensure you achieve the purposes He desires?
Go, make, baptize, and teach. Jesus said we had to do it.
It’s time to be unafraid and get to work.
Amen.
In
Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
Send any prayer requests to OurChristianWalk@aol.com
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