Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Tue, 1 Jul 2008 16:56:54 -0500
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (July 2); BP: Jer. 1; RBTTY: Acts 11; Job 22-24
July 2 “He Knows Me”
“Then the Word of the Lord came unto me, saying ‘Before I formed you in the belly I knew you—and before you came forth out of the womb, I sanctified you and I ordained you a prophet unto the nations’.”
Jeremiah 1:4-5
When we know Whose we are and who we are, we need not fear those who don’t.
Jeremiah, whose name means “The Lord establishes,” lived during a time of upheaval during Judah’s history. Born in the city of Anathoth—a city in the tribe of Benjamin given to the Levites—Jeremiah was called to be a heartbroken prophet with a heartbreaking message. Although he labored for over 40 years proclaiming a message of doom to his stiff-necked countrymen, he still was faithful in his task, honoring and obeying the God of Abraham in all he said and did.
Raised as the son of Hilkiah, the priest, two miles north of Jerusalem (v.1), this one—later known as “The Weeping Prophet”—no doubt received Godly instruction while growing up. How important it is for parents to instruct their children in the “ways and Word of the Lord” at an early age (Prov. 22:6), for so doing will help insure they have a strong “foundation of faith” when they grow older and leave home.
We’re not told how “the Word of the Lord came unto Jeremiah.” Was it a vision? Did an angel appear to him? Did the Lord God whisper to him as he lay on his bed during the night-watches? Again, we’re not told; however, it doesn’t really matter. What matters is that God spoke and Jeremiah was listening. And, may the same be said of us when our lives here on earth are through: “Speak Lord—for your servant hears” (I Sam. 3:9).
As we “chew the cud” on today’s Manna, it’s important to hear what the Lord was saying to Jeremiah: “Before I formed you in the belly”—i.e., when you were being “knitted together in secret” (Ps. 139:15-16). . . “I knew you”—i.e., “I knew everything about you. . .what type of person you would be. . .where you’d go in life. . .what you’d do. . .the thoughts you would think. . .the words you’d speak”. . . “And before you came forth out of the womb I sanctified you and I ordained you a prophet unto the nations”—i.e., “I have a purpose and plan for your life. Your life’s no accident or coincidence. From the hairs on your head to the tears that you shed, I know you—and the plans I have for you. Simply trust Me to lead and guide you through life.”
Dear Pilgrim, isn’t this a wonderful thought?
Even now, is not your heart warmed (and humbled) to know that the God of the universe knows you—individually and intimately—and yearns to transform your life into more than it could ever be on your own? Glory!!
The “secret” to experiencing this is knowing the Heavenly Father knows you and what’s best for your life. Then, it’s a matter of surrendering your life to Him and allowing Him to use you as He sees fit. This journey of faith will not be easy; but His grace is sufficient and will sustain you in everything you undertake in His Name. Trust Him.
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