Devotionals

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Too Young? Not Likely!

“But the Lord said to me:
“Do not say, 'I am a youth,' for you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak...”” Jeremiah 1:7 (NKJV)

We do not know how old Jeremiah was when God called him as a prophet but his excuse was that he was too young. Jeremiah may have been called when he was young as he alone would be able to speak to the king of that time – Josiah. Josiah was only eight years old when he became king of Judah. His grandfather was one of the most wicked of all of the kings, creating awful things in Judah. He practised in child sacrifice, including his own children, to the ancient god Molech. He set up booths in the temple for prostitution and sodomy. He set up high places for worship all around the country. He shed innocent blood from one end of the land to the other. He was eventually captured by the Assyrians, dragged as a prisoner with hooks piercing his skin. He had a change of heart and repented before his death, although he did not put right all of the awful things that he had done in Judah. His son took over and ruled for a mere two years, before he was killed by his own household. Josiah was the heir who took over at such a young age.

Josiah turned to the Lord with all of his heart, and by the time he was eighteen, he had reformed the land, which in turn uncovered the book of the law which had previously been lost. Somebody who spent time and influenced this young king was the prophet Jeremiah. I do think that the Lord called him while he was so young so that he could minister and prophecy to the young king. If God had used an older man, maybe the young king wouldn't have listened and acted so immediately. But God used the young to minister to the young.

If you are young and feel the Lord is calling you into ministry, do not let the old put you down. Finish school, do what you need to do, but hold onto the calling of God. Do not let the old despise you and put you off of what God has truly called you to do. Pray. Read the Word. God will confirm His calling to you. Pray for at least two confirmations. Hold onto His word to you and do not let anyone steal it away from you.

Likewise, if you are old, do not let anyone fool you to believe that you are too old to be of any good. Look at Anna, the prophetess (Luke 2), who was eighty four and served the Lord in the temple day and night. God has enough work to be done to keep you going until you pass into glory! There is an elderly man in our church of eighty years. He is a retired minister but a real 'firecracker', who amazes us all. Tomorrow, he is travelling to India to minister to Indian pastors. Nothing will hold him back!

Whatever age, God can call you and use you to change nations. Don't let anybody else steal what God has prepared for you to do either in your youth or your old age! And in the same way, don't hinder those youth or elderly around you who truly feel the Lord calling them. Encourage them – they may be the next Jeremiah!

Prayer:
Thank you God that you do not worry about time or age like this world does. Thank you that you have a plan for my life and that you're clearly talking to me about what that is. I do pray that you will confirm your way for my life so that I can never doubt that I'm doing what you've called me to do. Amen.

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