Excuses (A Brief Study of Jeremiah)

Dec. 3

Read: Jeremiah 1:1-10

(A Brief Study of Jeremiah)

Excuses

You were you before you were you. Before you were aware of yourself - you existed. You had an identity. You had a purpose. I don’t mean to say this about when you were a baby… although it is true then as well. I am talking about a sort of “proto-you”.

“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.” (v.5)

What the Lord says about Jeremiah is also true about YOU. We see this same idea born out in Psalm 139:

“My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”

How do we respond in the face of this truth? What is the significance of God knowing us - you and I - before we were even born? You see God doesn’t just know us, he is “consecrating us”… setting us apart to be made holy and to carry out good works he has ordained for us before the earth began. (cf. Eph. 2:10) God is “appointing” us as ones who will speak his words and bring his truth (prophets), he is preparing for us work to do as the “body of Christ”. (cf. 1Cor. 12)

We can’t comprehend this cosmic truth, so what do we often do as humans… we reject it. The Psalmist declares, “it is too much for me to take in or understand”. Jeremiah throws up his hands and says, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” (v.6) We simply cannot grasp that God has equipped us to do exactly what he is asking us to do. Our doubt is always seated in precisely the place God is calling us. Look at Jeremiah. He is told that God has ahead of time set him apart and made him holy and fit to speak his words as a prophet, and his response is “I don’t know how to speak and I am too young”. This is our human nature, to reject the cosmic destiny that the Lord has for us.

There will always be “earthly” reasons that seem to work against what the Lord is calling us to do. Think about the fact that Jeremiah was a young boy living at home when God told him this. He was likely between the ages of 10 -13 yrs old! In one sense, it is understandable that a boy would declare, “I can’t speak with kings!” Maybe Jeremiah is even thinking to himself, “I shouldn’t be entrusted with that sort of responsibility… I am going to mess it up!” Whenever we come face to face with God’s revealing of his plan for us … the “good deeds” we have been set apart to do… we will have to fight our doubt in this cosmic destiny. Never let your fear or earthly excuses stand in the way!

Look at the Lord’s encouragement to Jeremiah:

“Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD.”

What work are you declaring “I am only a youth” to? The Lord has prepared you for each day of your life. He has worked these days out long before we ever existed. God has known you for thousands of years, and is excited to walk with you through today… and every day. God is with you to deliver you. You have been declared and made holy, set apart for God’s work (consecrated). You have been given God’s words to speak, his strength to act, his mind to think with, and his presence / Spirit to guide, comfort, and strengthen you. You are deeply known by God… and you are deeply loved by him. Stop rejecting your purpose. Trust the Lord in the moments of each day… trust him TODAY… he is carrying you. We might wish that he gave our assignment to someone else, but he has chosen US. Take a moment to honestly put before the Lord whatever is it that you are doubting this morning. * Tell him genuinely what fears and doubts you might have about what he has lined up for you.Over the next few days we will see how this young boy Jeremiah finds the strength and courage to move forward. Love you guys! - JDP

* My heart is heavy this morning as I think of some of the tough times that you guys are facing. My good friend Mike Deloach is caring for his aging parents in the most beautiful and gut-wrenching ways. John Kiehlbach is fighting hard against Covid. The passing away of Ken Black and the mourning of his family. Senter Smith and the healing of his leg. Able Baker and wrestling with calling and purpose… mending wounds from pastoring a church. The list goes on and on… I am praying for you…You are modern day Jeremiah’s! Enduring and trusting God’s goodness, reward, purpose, and presence with you. Stay strong!