From Fear Into Love

Jeremiah 1:4-9

“The word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.’  ‘Alas, Sovereign Lord,’ I said, ‘I do not know how to speak; I am too young.’  But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not say, “I am too young.” You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.  Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,’ declares the Lord.

Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, ‘I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.’ ”

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As outside observers to this dialogue between God and the prophet Jeremiah, we could look at this and say, “How can Jeremiah feel this way?  God is speaking directly to him, and he still has doubts?!?  It’s as if Jeremiah doesn’t realize who he is talking to.  We want to shake Jeremiah by the shoulders and say, “Hello!!!  Are you crazy?!?  God just asked you to do something and you don’t think He can make it happen?!?”

But we see many times when a reluctant servant doubts God’s ability to make all things work as a part of His plan; Abraham, Moses, Jonah and Peter were all filled with doubt.

For me, this is actually encouraging.  Even though these men in the Bible doubted their own abilities and were thereby doubting God, He still made them a part of His plan.  They were able to accomplish great things because God’s grace was sufficient to push them beyond their comfort zone.

Lord God, 

Even when we doubt ourselves, you can take us to wondrous heights of amazing blessing when we trust in you.  We are so fortunate that even when we have doubt, you overcome our weakness. 

Thank you God, for taking away our doubt and filling up the space with You.  You guide us as a Father, patiently and caringly.  We are blessed when You move us from a place of fear into a place of love. 

In the name of Jesus, we pray, 

Amen.