Many people struggle with feelings of low self-esteem, feeling that they just don’t matter much to anyone. Sometimes they may even doubt whether God cares much about them. Would you feel that way if someone told you that God had thought all about you long before you were ever conceived? Would you feel insignificant to Him if you knew that God had made plans for your life ages before you were born? Today’s passage in the Old Testament Book of Jeremiah speaks of just this. Let’s read what God said to His prophet, and says to us today.
Jeremiah had been given a rather difficult ministry; that of preaching God’s message in the years immediately prior to Nebuchadnezzar overrunning the Kingdom of Judea. This was a time when most of the people, including the king and religious leaders, had turned their backs on God. Knowing that this was a difficult ministry, God gave Jeremiah a message right from the start. He told Jeremiah that He had singled him out for the work He gave him to do before he was even conceived, as His prophet and spokesman to the people (vs. 5).
The same can be said of us, as well. You might wonder how God could know us long before we were even born, before we ever existed. When an architect plans a building, at first it is just an idea in his head. He thinks of how big it will be, number of rooms, windows, floor plans, etc. Then he puts his plans on paper long before it is built. It’s a building in his mind, though. Finally the contractors come and the building commences, and the plans become fact. We are God’s custom design. He has specifically made every detail of us. He knew us by name long before we were born, He knows how long we will live, and what we were created to be and do with our lives.
When Jeremiah contemplated the task God had set before him, that of confronting the nation, the king and religious leaders in particular, about their unfaithfulness to God, he felt inadequate (vs. 6). He was a young man when first called, and felt inexperienced to be God’s spokesman. God promised, however, to be with him (vs. 7-8). He will be with us, as well, with whatever tasks and work He has given us to do for Him. If God gives us a job to do, He will provide all we need to do it.
Some people teach that once people become a Christian, all of their problems and troubles disappear. That is not true. Jeremiah was certainly a believer, but he faced many problems. God promised Jeremiah that He would rescue him from the troubles he would face, not that He would keep the troubles from coming (vs. 8). Jeremiah faced many trials and problems because of his ministry - insults, imprisonment, etc. God doesn’t keep us from facing problems, but He promises to always be with us during them.
God encouraged Jeremiah to continue on with the ministry that He had given him. The power behind Jeremiah and his service for the Lord was from God, Himself (vs. 9 - 10). He instructed Jeremiah to bring His message to the people, many of whom would threaten his life. The words Jeremiah spoke, harsh at times, were directly from God. It was God who had put them in his mouth. God used Jeremiah as His mouthpiece, speaking His message through him. Jeremiah’s message had divine authority.
Just as God knew and had a plan for Jeremiah’s life long before he was born, He has known us long before we were conceived, and He has a plan for our life, as well. That plan is a perfect one. It is not subject to the . opinions and views of man, or the circumstances of the world. As we seek to do God’s work we cannot go in our own strength. Through our own strength we can accomplish nothing of value, but relying on God we can do all that He wants us to (vs. 10). He calls all of us to spread His Word to all people.
When we feel discouraged or inadequate, remember that God has always thought of us as valuable, and that He has a purpose in mind for us. Whatever work we do should be done for the glory of God.
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