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.
Jeremiah 1: 4
Have you ever felt inadequate, less than, not enough? I think that many people feel this way at some point in their lives. I remember my own sense of inadequacy when the Lord called me to establish Esther’s Hope Ministries. I balked. The voice inside my head kept reminding me, that I was not enough. I was not experienced enough, educated enough or talented enough to establish and manage a ministry. After much struggle and resistance to the Lord’s bidding, the LORD revealed to me two distinct truths: First, I was not enough and would never be enough; but secondly, God was enough and all I needed to do was walk close to him and he would direct my path.
When the LORD calls the prophet Jeremiah in the first chapter of the book by the same name, Jeremiah seems to have a perfect excuse not to do as he is asked, “Alas,…I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” Jeremiah wasn’t wrong either; both these facts were true. What Jeremiah failed to consider is that the Almighty and all-knowing God knew all these facts beforehand. Jeremiah 1: 1-3 is evidence that the Lord had selected a specific person, from a specific location (vs. 1) at a specific time (vs. 2) and at a specific point in history (vs.3) to carry out his divine purposes (vs.7).
Even before Jeremiah was formed in the womb, God knew him; and before he was born, God set him apart as a prophet to the nations. The Psalmist confesses this same truth about God’s foreknowledge, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13).” Then again, the writer of Ephesians says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).” Before you were formed in your mother’s womb, God knew you and before you were born, he set you apart for a specific and special purpose. If you hear his call today, trust his judgment and heed his guidance. He knows why he has called you, and he will instruct you in the way you should go, as you walk in him and in your divinely ordained purpose (Philippians 1:6). You may not be enough, but he is. Hallelujah!
Dear God, I confess that I have often looked to my own ability rather than yours when you have called me to a task. Forgive me for my unbelief. Father renew a right spirit within me, so that I might believe the truth of your holy word which is that, you are enough, and I can do all things as you strengthen me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.