Our Weakness, God's Strength

Jeremiah 1: 1-8

(V. 1) The words of Jeremiah, the son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin.

Here's Jeremiah's pedigree: he was a priest, born into the upper society, living in the territory that was given to the tribe of Benjamin.

(V. 5) Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the Nations.

Even before he was born God had chosen him to Himself and planned out his life.

(V. 6) Then I said, "Alas. Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, because I am only a youth!"

Jeremiah was 20 years old when God called him to be His prophet; in that society he was still considered a child. 

(Vs. 7-8) But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, I am only a youth, because everywhere I send you, you shall go, and all that I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them..."

God's telling him not to use his weaknesses as an excuse. When God decides to do something, it's time to do it. And it doesn't matter what I think, He's God, I'm not, and He will use whatever He has given me to perform His will for me. I am just to believe Him and trust Him to work through me, even if I think it's crazy! It's not my decision, it's His, and He knows best.

Father, help me to trust You this way. Help me to see myself the way You see me, not how the World sees. You told Gideon to "go in the strength you have" (Judges 6:14) when he saw himself as very small and weak, but You knew he was a "valiant warrior" (Judges 6:12), and You made him into that strong soldier. 

And You will make me into whatever You have planned for my life, even if I don't see myself that way yet. 

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!