Okay, so I have been challenged to really study, not just read God's word! Kind of like what my Pastor said a few weeks ago...chew the cud!! So you know how cows chew their food, then swallow it, then regurgitate it, then chew it again...yeah absolutely disgusting, I know!!! But it's kind of what we have to do with the Bible!! Read it, then "chew on it, then live it out, or spit it back up!
The Book of Jeremiah, just caught my attention for some reason! There are several verses throughout it that I have always thought were amazing!! This time though, I'm determined to learn something from the whole book!
Just in Chapter One, I have been totally blown away! I come to find out that this whole story happens while King Josiah, crowned king at only 8 years old, was on the throne. It is so cool that when God speaks to Jeremiah, He doesn't just give a command, but he reminds him of their intimate relationship.
"Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations." ~ verse 5
Long before Jeremiah or we were even thought of, God knew us! He knew exactly what we would look like...what color hair we would have, whether it be straight or curly; if we would need glasses or claim that we could see just fine; if we would have to work hard at keeping the weight off or if we could just eat as much as we wanted and never gain a pound; whether or not we could carry a tune! He also knew what our hearts would look like...the anger and bitterness, the jealousy and hatred, the insecurity and fear of the unknown, basically not a pretty thing. (Jer. 17:9) He knew we would mess up, but He loved us inspite of it all and sent His only Son to die for us! (Rom. 5:8) To make it even better, He chose to use us to reach the nations! As you can tell from above, I am not perfect by any means, but yet God would choose to use me?!?! He definitely doesn't need me, the God who spoke the universe into existance, but He wants to use me!! How mind boggling!!!
The next thing that stood out to me, was how Jeremiah instantly realized how inadequate he was! His first instinct was to protest and give an excuse for why He couldn't be used! His was, "Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak; for I am a child." So lets be honest! How many times have we not gone up to someone, we knew God wanted us to share His love with, because we were afraid? or because we felt like we didn't know enough? or that someone else would say it so much better? How many times have we not given, because we didn't have enough money? How many times have we not taken that step of faith, because we couldn't see how it was all going to work out? Let's not beat ourselves up too much! Jeremiah doubted himself too! But that's the thing! IT"S NOT OF OURSELVES!! IT IS TOTALLY ONLY GOD WHO WORKS IN US!! God told Jeremiah not to be afraid and to do all that He had commanded him to do! Then get this! "Then the Lord put forth his hand and touched my (Jeremiah's) mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth." ~verse 9
The job that God had given to Jeremiah was not going to be easy! To go and tell his people, whom he loved dearly, that God was not happy with how they were living their lives! This included everyone...kings, princes, priests, and all the people of the land...how scary! But the fear of God is the best antidote against the fear of man. God promised Jeremiah, that the people would fight against him, but they wouldn't succeed. God was with him to deliver and protect Him! What God has called us to do is not always going to be easy, but He has promised to go with us!! What an awesome thought!
Okay...that's enough for one note! Haha, I think I just wrote a book! I don't think anyone will read this, but it is mainly for myself! Just to get all my thoughts out, so one day I can look back and see what God was teaching me at this moment in time!
