May 9, 2001
"Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you and will rescue you,"
declares the LORD"
Jeremiah 1:8
Jeremiah counters God's calling by pointing out the fact that he is inexperienced and timid. God responds with assurances that he will be with him and that he will rescue him. There are a number of times in the scriptures where men have been afraid and God's answer is always the same.. the simple reassurance that God is present... this isn't just a concept it is a fact! God's point - HE is enough!! He is enough for us no matter what the situation, no matter what the challenge, no matter what it looks like, no matter how overwhelming it seems. It matters not that in and of myself I do not have the talent or the ability to perform a particular task... God is enough!
"Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me,
"Now, I have put my words in your mouth.
See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms
to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow,
to build and to plant."
Jeremiah 1:9-10
In ancient cultures before there was any written method of communication a messenger would have to memorize the message, travel however far was necessary and then relay it verbatim... this is all God expected of Jeremiah. It made me realize that most of the times I get anxious or overwhelmed it's because I think God expects more of me than I am capable of and I forget this simple truth... God makes me competent for every task he puts before me. He does not take away the challenges in my life but he will give me strength and the assurance of his presence that will make me equal to the challenge!