49. INSECURITY. (Jeremiah 1-17)

Given that the world, it’s Governments and even it’s very existence seems to be under such stress and insecurity. It is no wonder so many people feel the same way, but we, as Christians know, this mess (though created by man) is no more or no less than what God said would happen so we shouldn’t be surprised, it will all pan out just the way God said it will. We don’t have to be fatalistic and sit with folded arms, No! As Christians we have a job to do, to get as many people as possible to Christ before that great and awesome day. So lets forget about ourselves and follow the command of Jesus and teach all Nations and peoples and languages who are at present flocking to our shores all about Jesus. Who said, “Will the Son of Man find Faith when He comes.” He is a faithful God, and will be looking for a faithful people. In (Jeremiah (1.8) we read “Do not be afraid of their faces for I am with you.” When God spoke those words Jeremiah was facing an army three times larger than his own, just like we are today, everyone around us is doom and gloom, but we, like Jeremiah have been told “Do not be afraid I am with you.” We have to make up our minds whether to trust God or not. In (Jeremiah 1.4-12) he writes ‘The word of the Lord came to me, saying’ Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I sanctified you (set you apart;) ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Then I said ‘Ah Lord God, Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” But the Lord said to me. “Do not say ‘I am a youth’ For you shall go to all, to whom I send you, and whatsoever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,” Says the Lord. Then The Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth and...”Behold I have put my words in your mouth. See I have this day set you over the nations and over the Kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant… I am ready to perform my word.” Does the job you’ve been called to do seem too big for you to do on your own, it is, but not when you include God! You’re not working alone, God is with you. Whether it is to pull down or build up, the one who called you will equip you, empower you and give you success. He didn’t make a mistake when he chose you. You may say “If only I had the education, talent or experience of so-and-so “ If God wanted them He would have called them, but He didn’t, He called you, so, just be yourself, trust God and everything will go well for you. Are you embarrassed about your beginnings or where you came from? Jeremiah was, he begins his book by listing the good people and the bad people in his background. Well, guess what! They all came from a less-than-perfect gene pool. We’re all a mixed bag of “allsorts.” Learn from those who did it the wrong way, but only follow those who did it the right way. Discover the purpose God put you on earth for and fulfil it. Keep the torch burning brightly, then hand it over to the next runner. Endeavour to finish strongly and you will hear that “Well done, good and faithful servant.” And watch what you say! Because the words you say don’t only influence others, they influence you as well, when Jeremiah told God he wasn’t the right age, God said, “Don’t say that” And when he complained that he wasn’t a gifted speaker, God said “Don’t say that either.” When Jeremiah saw the size of the opposition his knees buckled, but God said “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you to. Do not be terrified by them, today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a strong wall to stand against the whole land. - against the kings of Judah, its officials and its priests and the people of the land. They will fight against you, but they will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you.” declares t The Lord. Now, God didn’t make that promise only to Jeremiah, but to each of us as well. The people God calls, usually start out feeling ill-equipped and insecure. If you had jumped up and said ‘No problem Lord I can handle that,” He wouldn’t call you at all. ‘But,’ you say,’I’ve made so many mistakes.’ Listen, everybody falls; the winners are the ones who get up again. (Psalm 37;23-24) says The Lord delights in a man’s way, He makes his steps firm; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for The Lord upholds him with His hand. When Jeremiah told God that he had neither the competence nor the confidence needed to do the job, God said to him what He says to us in (Jeremiah 1;7 (firstly) you are not going in your own authority’… you must go to everyone I send you to’. So who’s sending you, sponsoring you and sustaining you? God! What more do you need? (Secondly,) The massage is not yours. ‘You must… say whatever I command you. Don’t agonise, compromise, rationalise or apologise, just say what He has told you to say and He will do the rest; (’ Jeremiah 1;12.) For I am watching to see that My word is fulfilled.(Thirdly). When God touches you, you’re qualified. ‘Then The Lord reached out His hand and touched my mouth and said to me, (Jeremiah 1;9)”Now I have put my words in your mouth.” So be yourself, you can’t be anybody else! You are not who others say you are, You are who God says you are! So you can do what God says you can do. Just get into agreement with Him. Thank you for reading my thoughts on insecurity, remember, there is no such word as that in God’s vocabulary and as children of God there should be no such word in ours either. So let your moto be ;-- ‘IN GOD WE TRUST’ Phaline - -------------------------------------------------