No Excuses
Jeremiah 1:4 (NLT) The LORD gave me a message. He said, 5 "I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world." 6 "O Sovereign LORD," I said, "I can't speak for you! I'm too young!" 7 "Don't say that," the LORD replied, "for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. 8 And don't be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and take care of you. I, the LORD, have spoken!"
God both encouraged and admonished Jeremiah. We who read these words can also receive the same.
Not only does life begin before birth, life begins before conception! God said that he knew Jeremiah before he was formed, or conceived, in his mother's womb. We who have been blessed to be born, and then born again, should fix it in our hearts and minds that if God almighty knew us before conception, our lives have significant meaning and purpose!
Before he was born, God set Jeremiah apart as a prophet to the nations. His course was set, but he struggled to accept the calling. He even tried to make the excuse, "I'm too young and can't speak." What excuses do you and I make sometimes?
God ignores our excuses because it has nothing to do with what He sees. One of the great challenges of spiritual maturity is to learn to see yourself as God sees you. It is healthy to be humbled by God's presence and feel a little hesitant about assuming great responsibilities. What's more important however, is to recognize God's words, "...I will be with you and take care of you."
If Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey promised to take care of me, I would feel very good about my economic future! How much better, exceedingly better, is it to know that God is with you and will take care of you?
This knowledge should silence every excuse.
