This morning we continue our series entitled, “Refined Focus”, with an emphasis on “Focusing on God’s Finished Work”. We have been looking at the call of Jeremiah. Today we will continue to flow in this vein.
The Lord said to Jeremiah, “Before I made you in your mother’s womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I chose you for a special work. I chose you to be a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah responded, “But, Lord God, I don’t know how to speak. I am only a boy.” The Lord then responded to him, “Don’t say, ‘I am only a boy. You must go everywhere I send you and say everything I tell you to say. Don’t be afraid of anyone. I am with you, and I will protect you.” (see Jer 1:5-8 ERV).
So what does this mean to you today? There is a lot to cover in this passage. I will seek to glean just a couple of golden nuggets today.
1. The initial response to the enormity of God’s assignment is always inadequacy.
a) When Jeremiah was a young man and God revealed to him that he was called to be a prophet, Jeremiah’s response was, “But, Lord God, I don’t know how to speak. I am only a boy.” Jeremiah was looking at his human position and ability, while God was looking at His own endless power.
b) God calls us to do things we cannot do. He does this so our reliance will be on Him.
c) God calls us to do things that exceed human power, ability and strength. Jeremiah’s call was to a supernatural assignment. No human can discern the future and prophesy of the things to come unless the Lord reveals them to him/her. There was no way Jeremiah could do this in his own power, but God never expected him to. If Jeremiah provided the willingness, God already had the words. If Jeremiah opened his mouth, God would fill it. See, God is not relying on your ability. He has all the ability required. God is only looking for your availability.
d) It’s okay to initially feed inadequate for your divine assignment. Actually, if you don’t, then you probably did not grasp the enormity of it. When you eventually do, you may feel inadequate in your own strength, but that does not matter because you won’t be the one doing it. It will be the Lord, working through you, He will give you the words and He will perform the work (John 14:10, 12).
2. God is looking for you to rest in His power, ability and strength.
a) God told Jeremiah that He would send him where he needed to go, provide the words to say when he got there, and protect him along the way. Jeremiah was afraid because he was thinking about his own abilities. God did not want Jeremiah focused on human strength at all. God was looking for Jeremiah to rest in God’s power, His grace and His dedication to an assignment He called Jeremiah to before the world began. And what is true for Jeremiah is true for you!
b) Everything related to Jeremiah’s divine assignment was finished before Jeremiah ever got started. God had already mapped it out. God made provisions for everything Jeremiah would need before the young man even started his ministry. Guess what? God did the same for you. This is why He is looking for you to REST in His Finished Work!
Closing Confession: Father, this is a season of refined focus for me. I bring my life into focus in 2016. You called me to do something I cannot do with my power, ability or strength. You never expected ME to do it. You never required ME to have what is required to get it done. But You did already prepare it for me. Everything I need is already prepared. My job is to die to self to the point where I even die to my limits. I yield to You. I give myself over to You to be used of You for Your glory. I will complete my divine assignment before I die, but it won’t be me doing it. It will be You Father, living in me, giving me the words and performing the work. This is why I choose to REST in Your finished work! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
