Today you should read: Jeremiah 1
We begin the book of Jeremiah today, which will be encouraging and challenging for all of us. Jeremiah was a prophet the Lord used to warn Judah of impending judgment and challenge them to repent. Just for clarity as you read, Jeremiah’s prophecies are not recorded chronologically, but instead are grouped together more topically or thematically.
I want to focus on verses 5-10 today, which is the story of the beginning of Jeremiah’s ministry. Some may refer to this instance as a “call” to ministry. I like to think of these times more as a command to ministry, rather than a calling to do something. In fact, verse 5 says that God appointed him as a prophet to the nations.
Also, in verse 5, the Lord said He knew Jeremiah before he was formed in the womb and consecrated him before he was born. The Lord told Jeremiah that He knew him before he was born and created him for this purpose of being a prophet for this particular time. Do you know that God created us all with a purpose as well? His purpose for our lives isn’t merely a suggestion. I believe He has appointed us to certain roles and positions all for the purpose of making Him known.
Have you considered his purpose for you? Have you considered where and how He has appointed you to serve? Wouldn’t it stink to go through our whole lives and never know His purpose and plan for us? What’s worse would be for us to know He is appointing us to certain roles, positions, and challenges, yet we choose not to be obedient. We’d be missing out.
Some of us know where God wants us to be and do, and we’ve gone through the same thought process that Jeremiah did in verse 6. “But, Lord, I don’t know how to speak. I’m young.” Or to put it another way, “Lord, I don’t think I am qualified to serve in this role. I haven’t been a Christian very long.” Or, “I’m afraid to do this, Lord.” Some of us have those thoughts, but we trusted in the Lord to work through us, and He did.
Some of us, though, are still battling with His appointment for our lives. Take courage from the Lord’s words to Jeremiah in verses 7-10. The Lord told him not to be afraid, and that He would equip Jeremiah with the words to say because He had appointed Jeremiah. The appointment was the Lord’s doing and He would equip Jeremiah. The same is true for us when God appoints us to do things. He’ll equip us, guide us, and provide for us.
God wants to use you for a purpose. Some of us are currently fully invested in what God has appointed us to do. Some are debating being obedient. Some are trying to figure out what God wants us to do. My advice is to know that God will equip you to do whatever He wants you to do.
Posted by: Rich Duffield
JumpstartCPC.com 
Great read. Thanks, Rich!
Great commentary. Thanks!
Great post, Rich.
How many times do we judge situations in our lives by our own understanding? I’m convicted that sometimes I argue / wrestle with God when he calls, um, commands me to action in situations where I’m not 100% confident in my own abilities. (As if my own abilities has much to do with it anyways.)
I love the truth found in v.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 prophet to the nations.”
I pray that our CPC family (especially myself) would remember this truth each day as we follow the Lord where he made lead us.