Prophet to the Nations

Discipleship and Mission

Call to Ministry

Called and Mission

Jeremiah 1:4-10 The Message

Demolish, and Then Start Over

1 1-4 The Message of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah of the family of priests who lived in Anathoth in the country of Benjamin. God’s Message began to come to him during the thirteenth year that Josiah son of Amos reigned over Judah. It continued to come to him during the time Jehoiakim son of Josiah reigned over Judah. And it continued to come to him clear down to the fifth month of the eleventh year of the reign of Zedekiah son of Josiah over Judah, the year that Jerusalem was taken into exile. This is what God said:
5 “Before I shaped you in the womb,
    I knew all about you.
Before you saw the light of day,
    I had holy plans for you:
A prophet to the nations—
    that’s what I had in mind for you.”
6 But I said, “Hold it, Master God! Look at me.
    I don’t know anything. I’m only a boy!”
7-8 God told me, “Don’t say, ‘I’m only a boy.’
    I’ll tell you where to go and you’ll go there.
I’ll tell you what to say and you’ll say it.
    Don’t be afraid of a soul.
I’ll be right there, looking after you.”
    God’s Decree.
9-10 God reached out, touched my mouth, and said,
    “Look! I’ve just put my words in your mouth—hand-delivered!
See what I’ve done? I’ve given you a job to do
    among nations and governments—a red-letter day!
Your job is to pull up and tear down,
    take apart and demolish,
And then start over,
    building and planting.”

For Reflection

Some have termed this creative demolition. Some campaign only to tear down.  These activists have no real restoration plan in mind.  Their only objective is to call attention to problems or concerns.  They offer no hope.
But God called Jeremiah to focus attention to the need for spiritual renewal and offer a means to achieve the rewards of God's call to reinvent their paths to peace.

Pray

Pray so that you will recognize God's call to follow Christ and be renewed in spirit and righteousness.

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