Never Too Young
Read Jeremiah 1:1–6:30
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4. The Lord gave me this message:
5. “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”
6. “O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!”
7. The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you.
8. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!”
9. Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said, “Look, I have put my words in your mouth!
10. Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. Some you must uproot and tear down, destroy and overthrow. Others you must build up and plant.”
11. Then the Lord said to me, “Look, Jeremiah! What do you see?” And I replied, “I see a branch from an almond tree.” Jeremiah 1:4-11
Youth is hampered in many ways: too little experience; not enough maturity; insufficient skills. If only we could have both the energy and the wisdom at the same time.
Welcome to the opening chapters of Jeremiah, the prophecies of a man who considers himself too young to serve God. True, Jeremiah is young. But you will see that when it comes to serving God, a person’s age doesn’t matter—it’s the heart that counts.
Besides reading Jeremiah’s call to service, in this passage you will learn that Judah has come under God’s judgment because they have forsaken God and have been unfaithful to him.
It’s not unusual for people to struggle with new challenges because they feel too young or because they don’t have enough ability, training, or experience. Jeremiah thought he was too young and inexperienced to be God’s spokesman to the world. But God told him not to worry and to go ahead with his assignment (Jeremiah 1:6-8).
We must not allow our feelings of inadequacy to keep us from doing what God has called us to do. Instead, we should trust him to always be with us and to give us wisdom and guidance for the task.
When you find yourself avoiding something you know you should do, be careful not to use inadequacy as an excuse. Ask God for the courage to take on the job; then trust him wholeheartedly for the strength to complete it. Whether or not you succeed is God’s concern. Leave your feelings of inadequacy with him so you can concentrate on doing his will. He will provide everything you need to do it.
