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 have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
Then I said, “Alas, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, because I am a youth.”
But the Lord said to me, “Do not say I am a youth. Because everywhere I send you, you shall go. And all that I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them. For I am with you to deliver you.” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 1:4-8 NASB
It’s hard to understand sometimes that before our parents even knew each other to thought of having children together, God knew us. He knew that they would come together and we would be born. He knew how many hairs would be on our heads. He knew the obstacles we would face. He knew everything about us. He also had a plan for us. In our scripture passage today, God is calling Jeremiah to proclaim His judgment on Judah. They have become a nation that has turned against God and has abandoned his commandments. He is calling on Jeremiah to warn them of what is coming their way if they don’t repent and turn back to God. Now no one wants that job, right? Everyone wants a pat on the back. They want to be told they are doing a good job. They do not want to hear that their way is the wrong way and is going to be destruction upon them. So here is Jeremiah, probably in his late teens or early twenties and he is telling God, “wait, I am just a young man. I can’t do this. They aren’t going to listen to me.” I am sure he is thinking, how am I supposed to do this? But then God tells him not to be afraid that he is with him and will deliver him.
Sometimes God calls us to do very difficult things. Sometimes God calls us to do things that seem impossible. Maybe we have to suffer through things that we don’t feel we should be going through. Maybe we feel that God is telling us to take on a task that seems impossible. Jeremiah would go on to suffer opposition, beatings and imprisonment because of his ministry. We know that the apostle Paul suffered many hardships including beatings and imprisonment for his ministry. Not exactly what we want to hear.
Jeremiah was young. He was sympathetic and sensitive by nature. but had been commanded by God to deliver a stern message of judgment. God often calls us to do things that are against our nature. He often calls us to step out of our comfort zone. The funny thing is that even though it may seem in total contrast to who we are, God will equip us to do these things that he calls us to do.
Galatians 6:9 tells us that we should not give up when we are doing good. It tells us to not become discouraged because in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. You have probably heard me quote Romans 8:28 so many times that I don’t need to say it, but it tells us that all things work for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose. We all have a purpose.
We are going to suffer hardships on this earth. Sometimes the reason will be revealed to us, other times it will not be. But know that God is in control. Know that he is there with you to bring you through whatever it is that he is calling you to go through. No matter how difficult, he is there for you. Know that even the bad things that happen occur for a reason. God has a plan. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come to Me and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”
Whatever valley you may be going through today, or mountain you may be climbing, know that God is there with you. Know that He loves you and cares for you. Know that He has good plans for you even if He must bring you through hard times to get you there. Trust in God and His plans for you. Trust in Him to walk with you through the fire and the flood (Psalm 66:12, Isaiah 43:2).
Have a great day!