Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Called To Be Sent
Jeremiah 1:1-12

Mary Roy

Epiphany MTC NY
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations ” (Jeremiah 1:5)
 
Jeremiah was born to a Levitical priest named Hilkiah and was from a small village named  Anathoth. He is best known by the name “weeping prophet.” Before birth, God set Jeremiah aside to bring a message to the nations. God’s mission for Jeremiah was to urge the nations to change their hearts and turn to the one true God.
 A prophet is a chosen and authorized spokesman for God who declares God’s word to the people. Jeremiah 1:5 states “ I chose you before I formed you in the womb: I set you apart before you were born”. God knew Jeremiah, He chose Jeremiah and appointed Jeremiah. He was handpicked by God and commissioned to serve. These acts show that before Jeremiah was even born God had a purpose for him. God used Jeremiah to prophesize in the land of Judah and to its people. In the same way God may assign us a demanding task. We need to accept that our future is not in our hands. We have to realize that we belong to God and God has a distinct plan for our lives. God’s presence gives us the strength to face all difficulties that come our way in our lives.  
Jeremiah 1:6 says “Ah , Lord God , Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth”. We can see that Moses used the same excuse just as Jeremiah did, (Exodus 4: 11-12) Jeremiah felt inadequate as a public speaker and felt afraid because he was young and he feared that people would not listen to his message. Jeremiah 1:8 says “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.” God has a way to overcome weakness and our insufficiencies. We all have the power to use our talents for the  work of God and we should use it wisely. Jeremiah 1:9-12 states “Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me , Now I have put my words in your mouth, See I have set you this day over the nations and over the kingdoms. To root out and to pull down , To destroy and to throw down, To build and to plant.” When God asked Jeremiah What did he see, he answered I see a branch of almond tree. God said you have seen well. This meant God appointed Jeremiah to proclaim the destruction and building of the nations, that would eventually lead to the kingdom of God.
Lord, be our strength in weakness, our hope in despair and our comfort in  distress. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
"Fear not, I am with you."  Isaiah 41:10

 Ref: Life Hope and Truth
NRSV Bible
Biblestudytools.com

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