When God called Jeremiah, he replied, "Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak,for I am a youth" (Jer 1:6). But God corrected him, "Do not say, I am a youth."
He gave seven reasons why Jeremiah should not hesitate to accept His commission.We have thousands of young men and women today who are excusing themselvesunder one pretext or the other. May be you are one of them.Read through the entire first Chapter of Jeremiah and see if you can still excuse yourself!
1. Do not say, I am just a youth—for I have CHOSEN you!"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; and I ordained you a prophet to the nations" (v 5)
2. Do not say, I am just a youth—for I am SENDING you!"You shall go to all to whom I send you" (v 7)
3. Do not say, I am just a youth—for I am ACCOMPANYING you!"Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you" (v 8)
4. Do not say, I am just a youth—for I am TEACHING you!"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" (v 9)
5. Do not say, I am just a youth—for I am AUTHORIZING you!"See I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant" (v 10)
6. Do not say, I am just a youth—for I am GUIDING you!"The word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Jeremiah, what do you see?’ And I said, ‘I see a branch of an almond tree.’ Then the Lord said to me, ‘You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word’ " (vv 11-16)
7. Do not say, I am just a youth—for I am STRENGTHENING you!"Behold, I have made you this day a fortified city and an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land... They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you to deliver you" (vv 17-19)
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