DAY 27: GOD CHOSE JEREMIAH

 THE RHEMA WORD FOR TODAY

(A DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH PREACHER SAM)

 

TOPIC: GOD CHOSE JEREMIAH

DATE: 27 SEPTEMBER, 2020

BIBLE READING: JEREMIAH 1

MEDITATION/MEMORY VERSE: JEREMIAH 1:5 (AMP)

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you [and approved of you as My chosen instrument], and before you were born I consecrated you [to Myself as My own]; I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

 

Yesterday, we discussed on who a prophet is and also the calling of Isaiah as a prophet. Today we will delve into the difference between the calling or the office of a prophet and the gift of prophecy using Jeremiah as our case study.

First, the Bible made us to understand that all of us can prophesy, but prophecies must be given one at a time and decently and in order (1 Cor. 14:30-31). And Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” The Greek word for ‘Word’ is ‘Rhema’, which means. ‘That which is or has been uttered by the living voice’. So we can read thus, “Faith comes by hearing when we hear His living voice’. In other words, we prophesy according to the faith we have from the grace (gift) we have been given already (Rom. 12:6). Even if our faith is that of a mustard seed, we can then speak to mountains to move (Mat. 17:20).

All gifts of the Holy Spirit are only for the service of the church (1 Cor. 12:7), thus the gift of prophecy is limited only to the church for edification, exhortation and comfort (1 Cor. 14:3). This gift of prophecy, just like any other gifts is manifested as the Spirit wills (1 Cor. 12:11).

But the office of a prophet is when God, not a man of God, ordained him as a prophet, such a person is actually called into the prophetic office and ministry (Eph. 4:11). Men of God only confirm the call of that person by recognising his position as a prophet. The Spirit of wisdom and understanding is resting upon him (Isa. 11:2) which makes him to constantly operate in that prophetic realm. So he does not only have the gift of prophecy but also has power and authority which is exercised to root out, to pull down, to destroy, to throw away, to build and to plant (Jer. 1:10). And this kind of position is not limited to the borders of the church alone, but also to nations and the entire world. So all believers can prophesy, in fact the Bible encourages it. But not all are prophets (1 Cor. 12:29).

Because of the nature of the office of a prophet, it comes always with severe persecution (Jam. 5:10; Acts 7:52; Mat. 5:12). ‘Some died by stoning, some were sawed by half, and others were killed with the sword.’ (Heb. 11:37).That was why no prophets of old never desired to become a prophet, but when God chose them, they believed that God would save them (1 Chron. 16:22, Ps. 105:15). Besides, they fear only God who can destroy both soul and body in hell if they fail to respond (Matt. 10:28; cf. Ezek. 33:1-9). So the response of every prophets in the Bible shows their total allegiance to God, every prophet whom God chose and called were first of all a yielded vessel, though possessed some sorts of weakness and limitation.

When God called Jeremiah to be His prophet, he first of all responded that he was too young- not just young but too young, probably he was born when Josiah started his reign as king, so he should be 13 years old when God called him to be a prophet to the nation of Israel (a nationwide ministry). The interesting thing is that he had been chosen for that purpose mentioned in verse 4 of our Bible reading before his conception. And as we’ve discussed earlier when we started this devotional, that God has predestined us for His glory- long before we were born, even before the creation of this earth.

God’s response to Jeremiah proves that He is not after the qualified, but He is after qualifying whom He had called (Rom. 8:30).

Remember we said yesterday that a prophet is as a voice for the Godhead for the nation, so God had to put His words in his mouth before appointing him the task of a prophet (Jer. 1:9-10).

Do you feel that you are too young that God can’t use you during the end-time revival that is coming? I’m sure you are older than this young prophet, and God is telling you, “Don’t say, I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” (Jer. 1:7-8 NLT).

 

DECALRATION: I REPENT FROM MY EXCUSES AND PLEDGE MY ALLEGIANCE TO OBEY YOU TO THE END.

 

FURTHER STUDY: JEREMIAH 32