I Have Appointed You

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 1

Scripture Focus:  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. (Jeremiah 1.5)

Devotional Thought: Like many of us, Jeremiah lacked self-assurance: “Ah Lord God!  Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.”  Do you have reasons that you cannot ‘speak’ for God?  I am too young and inexperienced.  I’ve been too sinful.  I’m not educated.  God says, “I know you.  I consecrated you.  I appoint you.”

I often remind people that they don’t have to be a super saint in order to lead someone to Jesus.  You just need to be a step ahead of the person you are leading!  As a matter of fact, people will be more apt to ‘follow’ a person who can relate to them.  After we have been following Christ a while, we tend to lose touch with what it was like before we knew Christ.  We speak a different "language."

Recently, I was giving directions to a friend.  I had been to the place she wanted to go, but it had been several years before.  I tried to warn her about some tricky stuff, but I really couldn’t remember it clearly.  I said, “I think you…”  She could tell I didn’t really remember.  She found someone else to ask, someone who had just been there.  That person knew the route and the address.  They remembered clearly and could tell her precisely what to do and what to avoid!  Leading someone to Jesus is like that.  It helps to be close to the situation so that you can speak with confidence and from experience.

God has appointed all of us to lead others to Jesus.  Start where you are and lead with confidence!

Prayer: I am amazed, Lord, that you knew me before I was born, that you set me apart for yourself, and that you have given me the mission to speak about you to others.  Help me to speak from experience, with confidence, and without delay.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 105.37-45

37 Then he brought out Israel with silver and gold, and there was none among his tribes who stumbled.

38 Egypt was glad when they departed, for dread of them had fallen upon it.

39 He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to give light by night.

40 They asked, and he brought quail, and gave them bread from heaven in abundance.

41 He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed through the desert like a river.

42 For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham, his servant.

43 So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing.

44 And he gave them the lands of the nations, and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples’ toil,

45 that they might keep his statutes and observe his laws. Praise the Lord!