Excuses

“Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.” Jeremiah 1:6-7

Bible reading this month has been the book of Jeremiah.  It is not the easiest book to read, about all the judgments that God pronounced upon Israel and the other nations around them.  I am sure that Jeremiah did not know at the time that God called him exactly how terrible the words would be that he had to proclaim.  He tried to get out of the call of God by offering the excuse that he was young and that he was not a public speaker.  But the Lord convinced him that he had nothing to fear, and that He would give him the words to speak and always be there for him.

We also read of Moses offering God the excuse that he could not speak.  He was not a young man like Jeremiah, and in his case, God gave him his brother Aaron to be a spokesman.  In both cases these men had difficult messages to proclaim and lots of obstacles in their way as they endeavoured to do what the Lord had called them to do.

Recently, the Lord has been dealing with me about something that takes me out of my comfort zone.  I cannot offer the excuse that I am too young, nor can I say that I am a poor speaker, but I still have been struggling to get rid of my excuses and step out.  I can only claim the promise from Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”  I know that He has a plan and that He will fulfill it.

The Lord may ask us at times to step out of our comfort zone and do something different for Him.  May we not think of all the excuses why we can’t do it, but may we be willing to do whatever He asks us to do.

Prayer:  Jesus, it is so easy to make excuses, but help me to listen to your voice and follow in the way you are leading.

Devotion by Anne Johnston