THE SCRIPTURE TODAY - Jeremiah 1:8
At the beginning of the Old Testament book of Jeremiah, the prophet Jeremiah is complaining to God that he is not qualified to do the work of a prophet. Since God knows the “thoughts and intents” (Hebrews 4:12f) of our hearts, he cuts through all the issues we may think we are having and gets to the crux of the matter. While Jeremiah is rationalizing to God that he is too young to work as a prophet, God addresses the real issue and tells Jeremiah that he does not need to be afraid of the people.
Don’t we do the same thing that Jeremiah did? Have you ever had times you knew what God was asking of you, but you did not want to do it? We always have excuses why we cannot do it. We are experts at rationalizing. We will make up reasons why we cannot do the work God is asking of us as if God does not know the perfect place for us to work and how to qualify us for the work. Let’s trust God to guide us in the work he has asked us to do. We do not need to be afraid. Rather, follow Paul’s advice and “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” (Ephesians 6:10c).
Jeremiah 1:8 (KJV)
“Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.”
Trust in the Lord (Proverbs 3:5).
Pastor Ron Barker, M.Div
(www.victoriouslifeministries.net)