Thursday after Septuagesima Sunday
Posted on February 1, 2024 by under
Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10 (NKJV)
1:4 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
6 Then said I:
“Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.”
7 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.
8 “Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord.
9 Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me:
“Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.
10 “See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant.”
Devotion
Our Lord God loves us so much that He sent prophets, apostles, and ministers to preach His Word to us. He desires that we should be His people. The prophet Jeremiah was sent to the rebellious and sinful people of Judah. Jeremiah would prophesy about the approaching exile in which Judah would find itself. They remained in their sins and were exiled to the land of the Chaldeans. In His love He sends Jeremiah to lead them into repentance.
Jeremiah does not think he is worthy for such a task. However, it is not him that is doing the work, but the Word of the Lord God. Jeremiah may be a youth, but by the Word of God he would “root out and pull down.” He would “destroy and throw down.” And he would “build and plant.” Jeremiah was the mouthpiece by which the Lord God would preach the Law and the Gospel to the rebellious people of Israel.
We have also been sent ministers to preach the Law and Gospel into our ears so that we might repent of our sins, and cling in faith to our Lord and Savior Jesus. These men sent by the Lord may be young or old, experienced or inexperienced. Their worthiness does not come from who they are, but whose Word they preach. They are sent to warn us of our sin and proclaim the glories of the Lord.
Collect: O Lord, we beseech Thee favorably to hear the prayers of Thy people: that we, who are justly punished for our offenses, may be mercifully delivered by Thy goodness, for the glory of Thy Name; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
