-October 28, 2022-
Good morning, happy Friday,
“Then I said: ‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth” (Jeremiah 1:6).
“Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: ‘Behold, I have put My words in your mouth” (Jeremiah 1:9).
God called the prophet Jeremiah to proclaim His warnings and the impending judgment coming upon Judah and Jerusalem for their sin of rejecting Him and worshipping idols. God had put up with their sin for many years. Jeremiah is called the weeping prophet, for he loved his people and was heartbroken for what was coming up them in terms of devastation, destruction, and death. Those remaining alive were taken into captivity in Babylon for seventy years.
The leaders, the priests and others, rejected him and his message. He was thrown into prison, even into the mire. But God protected his life. Jeremiah was just a youth and said that he could not speak. God promised to put His words into his mouth. Humble believers always feel so inadequate in themselves. None of us are worthy to speak for the Lord. But we can’t make excuses. God calls us, empowers us, and uses us. He gets all the glory.
Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:7, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels (or jars of clay), that the excellence of the power may be of God and not us.” Moses discovered this when God called him. He told the Lord, “…‘O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.’ So the Lord said to him, ‘Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord? Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say’” (Exodus 4:10-12).
It is not about us in our wisdom, strength, or abilities — it is all about Him. When He is with us no one can be against us, and we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
Let us make no excuses. We can’t but He can. Have a blessed day and weekend. Stay safe and healthy.
Called to serve the greatest Master by His strength,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 