Have you failed to believe in yourself at times? I recently graduated from Louisiana Christian University, but there was a time when I failed to believe I would succeed. I knew God called me to it, but I was doubtful. Jeremiah had doubts too.
He failed to believe he was God’s prophet. He protested at the thought of being used by God. However, we need to believe God can use us. Let’s discuss three reasons we need to trust that God can use us.
1) We are set apart before birth. (4-5) When did God’s plans for Jeremiah begin? Before he was born. Immediately, Jeremiah was faced with the sovereignty of God. God chose Jeremiah. He had knowledge of Jeremiah even before His birth. Without a doubt, God had a plan for him. Then we must conclude that God does not make wrong choices. Right?
Next, Jeremiah was set apart before He was born. To set apart is to render holy. Jeremiah was chosen to serve a Holy God and that made his calling sacred. Third, Jeremiah was appointed as a prophet. Appoint means God assigned Jeremiah the duty and responsibility of proclaiming His word. God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility to accept God’s call always coincides.
I see three points of application: 1) Knowing God has chosen us gives us assurance in our service to Him. 2) There is value and purpose in being set apart. 3) God has a plan and call for every person.
2) The second reason is God will provide aid for us. (6-8) Apparently, Jeremiah was in shock. He was hesitant. Why? Being a prophet wasn’t easy. Speaking to his elders was not easy. Jeremiah felt inadequate, but the Lord said Jeremiah’s young age was no reason to resist the call. Rather than command Jeremiah in vs. 7, I believe God was assuring Jeremiah that he could be God’s prophet.
Why should Jeremiah answer the call? God would rescue or deliver him. What’s your first thought when God says, “Don’t worry, I’ll deliver you.” I’d think “What in the world have you gotten me into? Why will things be so risky that I need rescuing?”
Deliverance is what Jeremiah would need, and it is what He would get. Why do we make excuses when God promises to make a way? We spend too much time trying to convince God that He can’t use us. We need to be asking God to make a way. Backing away from God’s call is not a solution. Every excuse we make is inadequate.
When is the last time you asked for God’s help? Can I suggest you may be avoiding God’s will if you are handling everything on your own? For example, I have entered a whole new rim of difficulty since I enrolled at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Do you know what I told my wife last week? Everything would be much simpler if I quit. She said, “quit what?” I said, “school.”
Then she said, “Absolutely not. God called you to it.” What should I do? I need to ask God to help me finish, to help me balance my time, for restful nights of sleep, and to help me meet my scholarship requirements. I should never back away from God’s call when He promises to provide, and neither should you.
3) The third reason is God appoints us to accomplish His will. (9-10) I close with this illustration as a word of encouragement…. When our children spend the night at their grandparents, then those grandparents have been appointed as caretakers for the night. However, we never leave them empty-handed. Each child is sent with a bag and these words…everything you need is in the bag. I say God has prepared everything you need to accomplish His will. It is in the bag. We can trust him because we are set apart, he will provide aid, and he appoints us to accomplish His will.
