Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah 1:5 NKJV
God chose Jeremiah, long before conception, for a purpose. His purpose as a prophet was to warn Judah about God’s impending judgment upon them.
The worse of Judah’s idol worship began under King Manasseh (2 Kings 21). Manasseh erected altars to Baal and worshipped the sun, moon, and stars. He even sacrificed his son to the god Molech. Anyone who opposed his evil practices, he had them killed. 2 Kings 21:9 NKJV states:
But they paid no attention, and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than the nations whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel.
Even though Manasseh repented his evil practices and tried to reverse them, his son Amon continued them after Manasseh’s death. This is where Jeremiah came in; to warn Judah that if they didn’t stop their idolatry and other sins, they would face God’s judgment.
Jeremiah was a youth when called, possibly seventeen. When God approached him with His message, Jeremiah resisted, but God told him to disregard his youth, do as told and, he will be protected.
Considered a prophet of doom because of his daunting message, the people refused to listen to him. Their refusal broke Jeremiah’s heart, causing him to weep and at one point give up. But he couldn’t. Here’s what he said:
But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it! .
Jeremiah 20:9 NLT
Jeremiah suffered for his message. There were plots on his life (Jeremiah 11:18-19), and one time, thrown into a dungeon (Jeremiah 38:6) but eventually rescued (verses 7-13).
Unfortunately, God did punish Judah and in 586 B.C. Jerusalem was destroyed, and most of its people exiled to Babylon. Jeremiah remained behind but eventually fled to Egypt, where he continued to preach. Jeremiah’s ministry spanned almost 40 years.
God Chose Us to Spread the Gospel
God has a purpose for us. Before our conception, God already knew what he wanted us to do. God’s purpose for us may not be easy. It may include persecution, doubt, even suffering. But God promised to be with us, strengthen us and give us the courage to carry out his work to completion. Even when times of doubt, fear, and discouragement grip us to the point of giving up, God will give us the yearning desire to carry on.
When I was a child, I wanted to be many things. A flight attendant, a news anchor, and as I got older, a fashion designer. It never occurred to me to become a writer, even though I loved writing. In my thirties, I got this desire to write a book but had no idea what this book would be about though.
I started blogging in 2008 and writing articles on a few websites but stopped due to family commitments. Then the desire returned a few years ago. During the pandemic, I took up writing again and, after a traumatic event, God called me to write my story, my memoir, which I am currently writing. My memoir is not just my story, it’s God’s story of how He worked in my life, and its purpose is to inspire others.
God loves us. He wished for Judah to let go of their idolatry and return to him. Once they acquiesced, God would not carry out his plan to send them into exile. He chose Jeremiah to warn them, to plead with them to turn from their wicked ways so he could have a relationship with them. But they refused.
In the same way, he sent Jesus to die for our sins, so we too can have that relationship with Him through Jesus. However, if we reject Jesus, we are destined for eternal death, but by acknowledging Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we are guaranteed eternal life (John 3:16).
A part of our acceptance is to spread the good news, to help bring others to Jesus so they too can experience his love and grace and receive eternal life. (Mark 16:15-16 NIV). That is our purpose.
Reflect and Respond
What is that one thing your heart desires? How can you use that desire to fulfil the Lord’s purpose of spreading the gospel?
Prayer
Lord, thank you for choosing me. Help me to carry out your purpose of spreading the gospel despite the fear, doubts and persecutions I sometimes receive. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Our Identity in Christ
This is the last scripture in our series. From the seven scriptures, we have learnt our identity in Christ means he chose us for good works. God skillfully created each of us to carry out that purpose, and he will give us the tools we need to so do. No matter what happens in our journey, God will work out everything for our good. Trials are not meant to weaken but strengthen us so we can become more like Jesus. Keep in mind, God is preparing us not only for earthly works but a future glory – the crown of righteousness.
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