Jeremiah 1:4-10 ESV
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 appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the Lord said to me, “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.”
Eleanor Roosevelt said No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. That means that you are the one who determines how you feel. Jeremiah tells us what God says about us and it is all good. Knowing how God feels about you should make you confident in yourself. Does it?
The Lord spoke to Jeremiah telling him that He appointed him to be a prophet to the nations and anointed him to do great things. All of God’s promises are promises to all His children. He went further to say that He will go with us and deliver us and we should not be afraid. If the Lord God be for us, who can stand against us? So we have the promise of God’s support. With that support, we can do what He calls us to do.
Are you afraid to do certain things because of what people might think of you? Do you think that you do not have what it takes to accomplish the goal? Do people tell you that you are too young to do something? Do you believe them? I believe that God put dreams in every heart. In addition, He equips us for the tasks necessitated by the dreams. If He calls you to be a Prophet, He will give you the words! With that in mind, why should you feel unqualified? Is it because you are not acknowledging your gifts? In some instances, I don’t know how I know something but I just know! That wisdom is a gift from God. Should I just ignore it? If I do, He will just bring it around again and again until I accept it and act. There is no way around what God destines for you. If He has destined you for great things, and He has, why not act on the dreams? Be the Prophet if so called. Go to whom you are sent. Speak to those to whom you are commanded. And do not be afraid! The Lord your God goes with you and will give you whatever you need. You are His and you are equal or greater than the task to which He calls you. Step out in faith and assurance today!
Lord, thank You that You call us to great and small things in Your name. Equip us for the tasks and give us the boldness to carry out what You ordain. Let us bring glory to You and comfort to those to whom You send us. In Your name we pray! Amen!