When God Appoints

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.

Jeremiah 1:5

When does God appoint? He appointed Jeremiah the prophet within the womb. That means that his calling preceded his rĆ©sumĆ©. It helps me remember that God’s calling is more secure than my abilities.

Jeremiah served as a prophet during a difficult time in Judahā€™s history. Oftentimes, he talked about quitting because his ministry was so challenging (Jer. 20:9). In the opening pages of his book, he revealed why he would endure to the end even when he often felt like giving up.

Read his description in Jeremiah 1:5-10.

4Ā Now the word of theĀ LordĀ came to me, saying,

5Ā ā€œBefore I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were bornĀ I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophetĀ to the nations.ā€

6Ā Then I said, ā€œAh, LordĀ God! Behold,Ā I do not know how to speak,Ā for I am only a youth.ā€7Ā But theĀ LordĀ said to me,

ā€œDo not say, ā€˜I am only a youthā€™;
for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,
andĀ whatever I command you, you shall speak.
8Ā Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you,
declares theĀ Lord.ā€

9Ā Then theĀ LordĀ put out his hand andĀ touched my mouth. And theĀ LordĀ said to me,

ā€œBehold, I have putĀ my words in your mouth.
10Ā See, I have set you this dayĀ over nations and over kingdoms,
to pluck up and to break down,
to destroy and to overthrow,
to build and to plant.ā€

We often think that it is only our experiences and education that prepares us. Too regularly do we assume that our networks solely provide us the opportunities given to us. While much of that is true, we must realize the importance of Godā€™s appointment over our lives. Others have taught us that itā€™s not what you know, but who you know that will define our lives. If that is true, we must take to heart that we know God, and he knows us. 

Not only does he know us, but he designed us for specific purposes. Before Jeremiah ever took a breath, God appointed the purpose of his breathing. He appointed Jeremiah, and he has appointed every single one of us to particular callings. God appoints people to be intentional fathers and mothers, gifted preachers and teachers, and Kingdom-minded blue-collar workers and white-collar workers.

To what roles do you believe God has appointed you?

Are you walking according to God’s appointment?