By Pastor William Y. K. Brown Ph.D
(Resident Pastor)
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Osu-Bethel.
Tel: 0244165628/0243310773.
wykbrown@gmail.com
THURSDAY
THEME: “I KNEW YOU”: JEREMIAH, PART I
SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 1:19
“They will fight against you, But they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you,” says the Lord, “to deliver you.”
REFLECTIONS
Anyone who walks with God must be genuinely committed and trusting. You cannot take God for granted for any reason. He is the Supreme God, the Almighty, the Ancient of Days, and the Omnipresent God. He knows the end from the beginning; therefore, He predicts, and it happens as He commands. His promises provide hope and the strength to persevere.
The life of Jeremiah the prophet gives many lessons on how to walk with God and remain faithful to His word. In His experience with God, Jeremiah teaches us that despite our trust and commitment to God, life on this planet is not always smooth sailing and easy-going. There are certain times that we even have to shed tears all because we find ourselves on a sinful, rebellious, unfriendly, and hijacked planet. His life portrays to us that there will be no victory without first a challenge and no success without a demand to exert effort. When everything is normal and as expected, what is there to overcome? Unless there is the possibility of failure, there is nothing like success.
Jeremiah means “Jehovah is exalted” or “Exalted of God.” He lived to fulfill the values and tenets his name portrays. Jeremiah was born a priest. He was from the priestly town of Anathoth. Interestingly, Anathoth means “answers to prayer” or “answered prayers.” Though a priest by birth, he received a divine call to become a prophet. God’s action is revealed in Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” The same goes for all of us; God has a planned future for each of us (Jeremiah 29:11), but the choice to cooperate with Him to accomplish that is in our hands. Like many human beings, Jeremiah resisted his call, citing his speech inhibitions (remember Moses, Exodus 4:10) and his youthfulness as an excuse. None of these matters when God calls anyone. God calls not for your strength, knowledge, or stature but for commitment and loyalty.
In verses 7-9, we read, [7]But the Lord said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak. [8]Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord. [9]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.” First, God tells him that He will tell him what to say, how to say it without fear, and when to speak. Second, God assured Him, as always, not to be afraid. When you walk with God, there is no need to be afraid – what should you be afraid of anyway? Third, God promises His divine presence. It brings to mind what Paul says in Romans 8:31, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Today, as you go about your endeavors, remember to go to “Anathoth” – pray and get answers to your prayers and do not be afraid. Once you have committed your life and pursuits to Him, go in faith, trusting His word and cultivating His very presence. May the Lord guide your day and make it fruitful. Remember, “Do not be afraid . . . For I am with you to deliver you”.
MY SONG OF COMMITMENT
SDAH 456 – “My Lord and I”
LET US PRAY
– Praise and thank God for His close relationship; thank God for His thoughts concerning you; pray to remain faithful to Him;
– Pray for families that are facing various challenges; pray for youth who will go on God’s errands;
– Pray for missionaries, Bible Teachers, pastors, and evangelists; pray for displaced people, refugees, and asylum seekers;
– Pray for the country’s peace and cessation of wars across the globe; pray for the sick.
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