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 and life 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.” This is from Jeremiah 1:5-8. We have been looking at these verses for a few days. Today I want us to look at the next verse.
In verse 9 Jeremiah said, “Then the Lord reached out with his hand and touched my mouth. He said to me, “Jeremiah, I am putting my words in your mouth.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. God only casts vision where the provision has already been prepared.
a) If God tells you to do something it is because He has already made provisions for its success.
b) Since God called Jeremiah to prophesy on His behalf, He had already prepared everything Jeremiah was going to have to say. God put His words in Jeremiah’s mouth.
c) The fact that God is telling you to do it is evidence (in and of itself) that His provision has already been made.
d) If you did not have the grace for it, God would not have told you to do it. God will only require you to do what He has already graced you to do.
e) Whatever God expects you to do, He equips you to do; and whatever He equips you to do, He expects you to do!
2. If it’s God’s will, then it’s also God’s bill.
a) Since God called Jeremiah to prophesy on his behalf, then God had to provide the words. Jeremiah did not call himself, so he did not have to make his own provisions. God had to provide everything required for Jeremiah to complete his divine assignment. Guess what? The same holds true for you.
b) If I invite you to dinner and I take you out to a nice restaurant, then when the bill comes I need to pick up the tab. Dinner was not your idea, it was mine. Since it was my will, then it is also my bill. This holds true for God as well. Anything God calls you to do — that is clearly His will and not your own — becomes His bill. He will pick up the tab. He will make sure you have everything you need to get it done. And He is not going to prepare for your success, He already did. God prepared everything you would need before the world began.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a season of refined focus for me. I bring my life into focus in 2016. I am learning to tap into Your grace. I am learning to rely on Your power and favor. I am learning about Your divine provision. Since You give me vision, I know the provision has already been made. If it’s Your will, I know it is also Your bill. You are not going to prepare me. You are not going to bless me. It’s already done. You have already equipped me for everything You expect of me. So I live by faith, my faith taps into Your grace, and I learn to REST In Your Finished Work! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
