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by Sandy Shaw
Jeremiah knew God was sovereign – in charge – on the throne – in control – even when the people of God were out of control – and there are seasons when God works through us, and sometimes in spite of us.
Israel was in a bad state – and people wanted a prophet to say that things were not really that serious – and Jeremiah sees his nation go down and down - and just as Josiah was born to be king, Jeremiah was born to be a prophet.
In Jeremiah 1and verse 5 we learn something of how God can and may plan our lives. God says to Jeremiah – I knew you before you were born – I knew you before you were formed in the womb. He was set apart from all other careers. His birth was planned.
I have done all these things for you – and then comes the pathetic feeble “I” of Jeremiah – and God allows it and God listens to it – and God has it written down in the scriptures.
God doesn't mind us arguing with Him, provided we realise that He wins in the end.
Wrestling and arguing with God is not always a sign of rebellion and disobedience, but that you mean business, and that you are taking all this seriously - and that you're working it all out, and trying to count the cost to some degree.
Verse 10 – It is as if Jeremiah does not want to become so involved publicly – so openly - and there comes that moment when God has to say ENOUGH! Don't be so argumentative. I am not inviting you to do this. I am not discussing this with you any further. I am telling you – informing you – commanding you. This is the reason for your being born. Now you shall go – go and speak – and do not be afraid of their faces
Fear can paralyse us and make us so self-conscious – and we can want to curl up and become artificially shy – thinking we might be able to wriggle out of it all and escape - and that God will leave us alone – and we can stop wondering what others might think of us if we go ahead with this thing to which Jesus Christ has called us.
The call of God does not go away!
Jeremiah, let me touch your mouth – you can feel that a finger on your lips – one of the most sensitive parts of the body. Let me put My Word into your mouth – and to begin with – with the power of God upon him – he would be more destructive than constructive – more pulling down than building up.
So often Jesus said WOE to certain people.
In the prophetic, we see the miraculous. You speak from God and you speak for God.
The prophet is the key to what God is doing – and to what God is saying in the church – and in the world.
We must take care not to lose the key – Luke 11verse 52 – or perhaps even worse – we must take care not to throw away the key.
“Loving gracious holy Father, thank You for showing us so clearly that seldom is it easy to yield and surrender – but thank You for these occasions when You persist, until we come to see something of Your Will for our lives. Thank You for the joy and privilege of serving Jesus Christ in the Kingdom of God. Enable us to remain loyal and faithful right to the very end. We praise You and worship You, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.” Amen.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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