Many believers have been guilty of misquoting Isaiah’s response to God’s call to service. Isaiah responded: “Here am I. Send me” (Isaiah 6:8). Our attempt at making a point with humor has been to say: “Here am I. Send my brother.”
The point being made is that while we know God has much for us to do in service to him, we would rather someone else do it. In fact, we often have a running list of excuses as to why we are unable to serve in a particular way.
That certainly was the case with several individuals in the Bible. Moses listed at least four excuses as to why he should not return to Egypt to serve as God’s spokesperson to Pharaoh and as the leader of the exodus. Jonah was more direct and tried to hide from God because he did not want to go to Nineveh.
Sometimes we wonder why God calls into service the individuals he does. Paul had been a persecutor of the early Christians even to the point of participating in the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7. But Paul’s testimony to Timothy was “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service” (1 Timothy 1:12).
Our study for the month of August centers upon the ministry of Jeremiah. He also was reluctant to serve. God’s call to Jeremiah was a powerful one. In Jeremiah 1:4-5, we are told God prepared Jeremiah to be his prophet before Jeremiah even was conceived in his mother’s womb. This call to serve was inherent in Jeremiah’s DNA. And yet, despite the power of God’s call, Jeremiah quickly voiced his excuses in Jeremiah 1:6. He argued he was not a public speaker and he was too young.
God’s response to Jeremiah’s excuses was the same one he gives to us when confronting our excuses. Jeremiah 1:7-8 summarizes God’s words to Jeremiah in three distinct ways. God says he will tell Jeremiah where to go, give him the words to say and always be with him.
For thought: Do you have a standard excuse you use when God asks you to serve him either directly or through his church? Do you believe your excuse has greater merit than the service God is asking you to perform?
In Jeremiah 1:9-10, God gives to Jeremiah the two most important elements needed in serving God. First, he empowers or equips Jeremiah for his ministry by touching Jeremiah’s mouth to give him the words God wants him to speak.
Too often, we all speak the thought that God won’t give to us that which we can’t handle. Wrong. Everything God gives us to do is beyond our capabilities. That is why we must rely upon God to accomplish what he asks of us. He alone can give us the power, the words, the energy, the love and any other needed item to carry out his assignment.
Sign up for our weekly edition and get all our headlines in your inbox on Thursdays
Second, God gives Jeremiah clarity about what his ministry is to be. Jeremiah is to be over nations and kingdoms. His ministry will involve the destruction of what is evil and the building of that which is good.
Every believer needs to understand what his assignment really means in the kingdom of God. I remember two church nursery workers responding to my question about what their role was in the church nursery. One responded that it was to keep those crying babies quiet so parents wouldn’t be upset when they picked up their child after church. The other had a much different view. She said her job was to love these babies with the love of God so as they grew they would want to know Jesus and make him the Lord of their lives. In addition, she wanted to ensure the parents could spend uninterrupted time in class and worship so they could continue to grow as godly parents bringing up their children in the love of the Lord. God had given her clarity about her ministry assignment.
For thought: As you serve the Lord in whatever capacity, do you understand what your part is in the kingdom of God? As you serve, are you doing this ministry out of your own energy and ability, or are you relying upon God for his equipping and power?
God affirms Jeremiah’s call and God’s promise to be with Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:11-14 and 17-19. This affirmation includes two visions. In the one related to the branch of an almond tree, Jeremiah is reminded God will carry out what he has said in the past through other prophets and what he now is saying to Jeremiah. The second vision of the boiling pot indicates the destruction that will come to Judah. Finally, God reminds Jeremiah he will be with him even though the leaders and people of Judah will turn against him.
For thought: Serving the Lord is not a walk in the park. Faithfully serving God can result in persecution, suffering and even death. He promises to be with those who faithfully serve. With his promise made known to you, will you lay aside your excuses and begin to obey the Lord by ministering where he has assigned you?
We seek to connect God’s story and God’s people around the world. To learn more about God’s story, click here.
Send comments and feedback to Eric Black, our editor. For comments to be published, please specify “letter to the editor.” Maximum length for publication is 300 words.