Date: June 16, 2021 | Series: Youth for Jesus | Number: Vol. 4, No. 5
““Ah, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.” (Jer 1:6-8NIV)
When the Lord first appeared to Jeremiah to tell him of His purpose for his life and His readiness to use him, his excuse was that he was too young for the job. But did God not know that he was a young man before approaching him? He knew. Was He not the one that selected him for this task even before he was formed in the womb? He was the one. And did He not know his potential and limitations? He did.
So, what excuse could this young man possibly give God to make Him change His mind about using him? None! That was why He told him to drop his excuses and fears and get set to be useful and fulfil His purpose for his life. And He promised him that he would never be alone in doing the job He was giving him. Instead, He would always be with him to guide, protect and make him successful. All he would need, then, was to believe and act accordingly.
Now did Jeremiah believe God or not? He did. And did He fail him? No, He did not fail him. Instead, as He had promised, He stood by him all through those years that he faithfully proclaimed His word to all the people and nations that He sent him to. Yes, he encountered all kinds of trials – betrayals, rejection, persecution, imprisonment and even death. But God protected him in all these things and made him stand before the world as a true prophet of His.
In like manner, you too had been known and chosen by God for greatness before you were formed in the womb. And you don’t have to be a prophet or a president of a nation before you stand before Him as a great person. You just need to identify fully with His purpose for your life and fulfil it. That will be your greatness.
Also, you do not need to see a vision, have a dream or receive a special revelation from God before you know what His purpose for your life is. You just need to begin to diligently work with those good and righteous desires you have in your heart, and you will be good to go. The bible says it is God who works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose (Phil 2:13). That means those good and righteous desires that are rising in your heart are not coming from the devil but from God. And the skills, abilities and education you now possess to do good and righteous things in life have also become yours through His enablement.
Therefore, instead of making excuses that you are too young, poor, uneducated and so forth to be a world shaker, start putting these things to some honest and legitimate use. And unless, like David, you receive a specific message from God not to do something good and righteous that you have the ability to do, let nothing stop you from doing it (1Chro 17:1-14). Then God, who was with Jeremiah, will be with you too to guide, protect, and make you succeed.
See, as long as God is on your side, you are not too young, poor, uninfluential, weak or uneducated to fulfil His purpose for your life and become a highly useful and great person in His sight. It all depends on the purpose He wants to use you to serve in life. Don’t forget that the bible makes it very clear to us that it is not those who think of themselves as great or those who are called great by men that are truly great in the sight of God. It is only those whom God Himself calls great that are actually great. (Cf. Luke 16:15; 2Cor 10:18)
So, do away with all the excuses you are making for remaining irresponsible, useless and insignificant in life and get to work, making the most of every good thing God has endowed you with. And you will always find Him ready to see you through and make your life truly count. Then, even if you have wasted several years of your life wandering in irresponsible living, it is still not too late for God to make the remaining years of your life count for something. If He could pick up Moses at age 80 and make the remaining years of his life a wonder, He could do similar or greater things for you, if you too will reach out for His restoration and renewal. So, reach out for Him, and you will find Him waiting and ready to help you.
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