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| Previous Next Scripture tells of many prayers--urgent requests to God for help. In All Things Are Possible, author Daniel Partner tells of devotional meaning in seventy-five of these prayers. Partner's insightful, accessible readings show that no human problem is unique and that God hears believers' prayers. Not only can the answers be miraculous--prayer itself is a miracle. While reading All Things Are Possible, Christians will see their own struggles in the prayers of biblical characters, be encouraged to lift their voices to heaven like the saints of old, and embrace Jesus' promise: "All things are possible to him who believes" (Mark 9:23 NASB). This devotional employs various translations of Scripture. Soft cover from Barbour Publishing, Inc., copyright 2002 |
"DAY FORTY-FIVE"
Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold,
I cannot speak: for I am a child.
- JEREMIAH 1:6
God told Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations" (Jeremiah 1:5 NRSV). God designed and predestinated Jeremiah to an honorable line of work. The prophet-to-be modestly, though unsuccessfully, turned down the job.None of us know exactly what God intends for us, but God knows. You may be like me and say, "Sure, God knew the great prophet Jeremiah from before the womb, but not me. I'm nobody." True, we're nobodies. But we're nobodies who love God, and "anyone who loves God is known by him" (1 Corinthians 8:3 NRSV). There's no getting around it: God has an assignment for you, and it is probably that which you have at hand right now. You'd think that Jeremiah would have grabbed at the chance for such a great job, yet he was quite surprised to hear that he would be a prophet to the nations, and he claimed to be unqualified for it. "Ah, Lord God! Look, I can't speak to great men and multitudes like prophets do. I can't speak finely or fluently or word things like a message from God should be worded. I can't speak with any authority. I'm a child." It is a good idea to be both willing and modest, if possible, when we have any service to do for God. Elihu is a good example of this. Note what he regarded as his sufficiency: "I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion. I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding" (Job 32:6-8). Yes, there is a spirit in each one of us (1 Thessalonians 5:23). It is through our spirit that the inspiration of the Almighty gives us understanding. It is good to open your spirit to God by praying, "Lord, I am a child." But follow with this phrase: "And you are my Father; you are my sufficiency for every task." Click here to send this devotion to a friend!
