Jeremiah: Sanctified from the Womb
Jeremiah 1:5 (KJV)
“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee…I sanctified thee…” – Jeremiah 1:5 (KJV)
These were God’s words to Jeremiah, whose name means “whom Jehovah has appointed.” He was one of four prophets in the Bible, warning Judah for forty years about God’s judgement for their shameful and persistent sins.
As He did with Samuel, God began to speak to Jeremiah at a young age. Uncertain and perhaps somewhat afraid, Jeremiah expressed doubts about his ability, being young and lacking fluency in speech (Jeremiah 1:6). But God assured him that if he were obedient, God’s presence would be with him to defend and protect him. God’s words were: “Do not say I am [only] a young man, Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak, Do not be afraid…for I am with you [always] to protect you and deliver you…” (Jeremiah 1:7-8 – AMP).
God knows our abilities since He equipped us. He wants us to use the gifts He has given us to glorify His Name, develop ourselves and our talents, and help others. God can and will use anyone, whether fresh out of the cradle or bending with age, whether in a palace or from a pit, intellectual or illiterate, any yielded vessel, to accomplish His will. It is our obedience He requires.
Remember Moses, Israel’s deliverer? His mother knew he was not an ordinary child and dared to believe God to protect him at a time when Hebrew children were being slaughtered. God did. Moses later doubted his own ability to carry out the instructions God gave him. He made numerous excuses (Exodus 4:10). But God was patient with him, and Moses became the ‘lawgiver,’ bringing God’s laws to the people of Israel and becoming one of the most famous leaders of all time.
Jeremiah listened to God and condemned Judah’s evil practices. He was deeply troubled and saddened at the behaviour of the prophets and priests who practised vile abominations such as burning incense to the stars of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to other gods. They were not afraid of bringing false prophecies that made the people comfortable in their sinful practices, and many more. Jeremiah spoke against this and was beaten, imprisoned, and starved. He, however, persisted in condemning Judah’s evil doings and was truly God’s messenger to stiff-necked and hard-hearted people.
As people of God, we must be prepared to “endure hardness” as good soldiers of Jesus Christ and not allow ourselves to be offended by unjust accusations to the extent that we abandon our calling in Christ, for our God will vindicate us.
Prayer
Righteous God, ever merciful, thank You for the strength to carry on in spite of the testings and trials that confront us daily. May we never doubt Your ability to save and deliver. Increase our faith to trust You to keep us safe in the midst of the storm. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Read: Psalm 139:1; Romans 8:27-29
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 72; Acts 7:20-43; 2 Samuel 16:15-23; 2 Samuel 17; 2 Samuel 18:1-18
