The Kind of People God Uses
1. A MAN WITH FEAR IN HIS HEART
“Now the word of the Lord came unto me saying…..I have appointed thee a prophet unto the nations. Then said! Behold I cannot speak for I am a child” - Jeremiah 1:5-6.
Jeremiah was a man who knew his limitations and his feebleness for such a task. He lived to see the end of the Single Kingdom period, when Judah’s last kings ruled. His main ministry was to bring God’s warning to them of their sin and iniquity - the most difficult of difficult tasks. He was probably shocked at the call of God in his life. Perhaps as the implications dawned on him, fear gripped his heart and he remonstrated about his inability to be God’s messenger.
The Lord’s response to him was simple and unambiguous “Be not afraid because of them, for I am with thee to deliver thee…..Behold I have put my words in thy mouth” - Jeremiah 1:8-9. The truth of the matter is, they whom God calls he equips. Proverbs 29:25 tells us that “the fear of man bringeth a snare”. Who of us have not looked over our shoulder to hear what is being said about us!
If the Lord “puts words on our mouth” we have no need to fear.
2. A MAN WITH FOUNTAINS IN HIS EYES
“Oh that my head were waters and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the daughters of my people” - Jeremiah 9:1.
This was a man who could, and was not afraid, to shed tears. He did not weep because of his own rejection by the people, but for their rejection and rebellion at not listening to the voice of God. Small wonder that he is called the ‘weeping prophet’. Weeping day and night reminds us of the Apostle Paul in his last meeting with the elders from Ephesus. “Remember that by the space of three years, I ceased not to admonish everyone night and day with tears” - Acts 20:31. His great concern over the “grievous wolves that would enter not sparing the flock”. One could almost say two hearts, in different circumstances and different eras, beating as one. Men whose hearts God had touched.
What a lesson for this generation! As we approach the end of the age. Our world was never more against God than it is now and there is an urgent need for the Church of God universally to weep over it.
3. A MAN WITH FIRE IN HIS BONES
“… there is in my heart, as it were, a burning fire shut in my bones” - Jeremiah 20:9.
Jeremiah is sore tried, he feels that the Lord has deceived him. He has been thrown into prison because of his severe words to the nation. Yet, in the midst of his despondency, he says, “…but the Lord was with me as a mighty one - verse 11.
The burning fire in his bones was due to sheer frustration tearing at his heart. He was convinced that his persecutors would be “made to stumble” which would ease the pain of his burning breast. He had bared his soul to the Lord (verse 12) and ended up singing His praises (verse13).
This is a real word of encouragement to us to remember that however difficult involvement in the Lord’s work becomes, He is labouring together WITH us (1 Corinthians 3:9), He will never leave or forsake us, He will accomplish His work.
It is well to remember:
GOD HAS A GREATER WORK TO DO IN US THAN THROUGH US
DREW CRAIG