The—“To Be Excused List!” 

“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.”
Jeremiah 1:5 (MSG) 

This is the encouraging news God gave to Jeremiah the prophet.  Notice how he felt after receiving this message. It would appear that he was overwhelmed by fear because he says to God, “Hold it, Master God! Look at me. I don’t know anything. I’m only a boy!” (Verse 6).
I wonder if God said, “I’ll take that as a no then?”
This young man was saying no and using his youth as an excuse to do so, but his argument gets cancelled out when the Almighty tells him; ”I’ll be right there looking after you.” (Verse 8). 

I wonder how many Christians over the years have done the same thing—lots I would expect. I’m sure that the excuses would be legion—too young, too old, too rich, too poor, too ill, poorly educated, and on and on it goes. 

In the “Lord of the Rings” Frodo asks this question, “Why was I chosen?”
Gandalf replies, “Such questions cannot be answered, you may be sure that it was not for any merit that others do not possess; not for power or wisdom at any rate. But you have been chosen, and you must therefore use such strength and heart and wits as you have.” J.R.R. Tolkien. 

If you have been on this “To be excused list” in your Christian life and I’m sure many of us have at one time or another, we are also in the company of some famous people; namely: Moses and Gideon.  Moses said; “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant…O Lord, please send someone else to do it.” (Exodus 4:10, 13 NIV).
Gideon said; “But Lord, how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” (Judges 6:15 NIV).
Thankfully those two reluctant servants did shoulder their burden.  Both Moses and Gideon did a great job and gained great victories by the strength and power of God, because if he calls someone for a specific purpose he also provides the where-with-all to accomplish the task. Moses delivered Israel from Egypt by yielding to the great I AM and Gideon defeated the armies of Midian with 300 men, against an army of 135,000. That’s 450 to 1! Great odds for God’s servants! 

As you know, he has a plan for each of us—he is the God of success and victory and he chooses and uses those who will yield to him and his great power, in his service. 

Prayer
Grant us courage, Father, to rely on you and serve courageously wherever and whenever you require us to serve, to the glory of your name.
Amen 

Study by Cliff Neill

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About the Author:
Cliff Neill is an Elder in Grace Communion Church Luton.

Local  Congregation:
Grace Communion Church Luton
Farley Hill Methodist Church
North Drift Way
Farley Hill
LUTON
LU1 5JE

Meeting time:
Saturday 10:30am

Local Congregational Contact:
Harry Sullivan
Phone:  01908-582222
Email: harry_sullivan@wcg.org.uk