Jeremiah Chapter 1
Quit Making Excuses.
The people of Jerusalem are in exile, barred from their country and forced to live in another country. The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah saying, “Before I formed you in your mother’s womb, I knew you.” ” Before you were born, I had a plan already established for you to be a prophet.” Jeremiah immediately responds with excuses: ” I don’t know how to speak and I’m too young.” God responds by shooting down both excuses by saying: “Don’t say you’re too young because I’m going to be with you.” “Don’t say you don’t know how because I will touch you and give you everything necessary in order to carry out my plans.” In other words, God is not bound by age or qualifications. He’s just looking for a willing “vessel” that he can use. And he doesn’t call the qualified, but qualifies the called. God ends with, “Don’t be afraid, I am with you!”
It’s the same as with you and I. God calls us to do something and we make excuses. I still will tell the Lord “I can’t do this”, but end with “But I’m willing to be used” because I know God can equip and empower me to do what he’s called me to do.
At one point God says to Jeremiah, “Get yourself ready! Stand up and do and say whatever I command you.” In other words, quit monkeying around and quit making excuses! Surrender your will and I will equip you and empower you. But understand this: when God equips us he allows us to go through difficult and painful situations, that at the time, don’t make sense! But in reality, it’s exactly what we need in order to carry out the plan he has for us. But don’t forget what God said, “Don’t Be Afraid! I am with you!
