Jeremiah 1:4-10 (NRSV)
Read Jeremiah 1:4-10 on biblegateway.com
Verse 4Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, Verse 5"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." Verse 6Then I said, "Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy." Verse 7But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a boy'; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you, Verse 8Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord." Verse 9Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me, "Now I have put my words in your mouth. Verse 10See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant."
Devotion
The ELCA Study, “Clergy Supply and Demand” asked 100 pastors: “When did you first think about becoming a pastor?” The majority, even the second career pastors, answered that it was at a very young age, even before confirmation instruction. Perhaps the early teen years may be rather late to first contemplate what it means to be under call as a baptized person.
The Word of the Lord comes to Jeremiah and reminds him that before he was born, he was consecrated and appointed to be a prophet. Jeremiah’s reluctance and fears because of his age were answered by the assurance that he was called and that he was not alone.
To have the assurance that one is under call provides courage and staying power during tough times. The power of the Word of the Lord is no small thing (vs. 4, 9).
Prayer
Lord, call us into the church so that in worship and in work you may be praised.