MARCH 2022 | Make No Excuses

Focus

God may assign you a demanding task, but His call keeps us going when we don't want to go and are ready to quit.

REFERENCE: Jeremiah : 1:4 - 14, Jeremiah 17 - 19

INTRODUCTION

We are skillful at the art of making excuses, aren't we?

"I don't know how."

"I didn't understand."

"I couldn't find the right tools."

"The voices told me to clean all the guns today."

"I threw out my back bowling."

"I have a Doctor's appointment."

"There's been a death in the family."

"The hazmat crew is here and won't let me out of the house."

"I have a relative coming in from Hawaii and I need to pick them up at the airport." And, my all-time favorite:

"When I got up this morning I accidentally took two Ex-Lax in addition to my Prozac. I can't get off the john, but I feel good about it."

In the Christian world, we can find all sorts of excuses not to obey God's voice:

"It's the preacher's job."

"It's not my gift."

"I've already served, let someone else do it."

"I'm too busy or too tired or too old or too young."

The Excuse: My Talent is Inadequate

"But I protested, ‘Oh no, Lord, GOD! Look, I don't know how to speak since I am only a youth" (Jer. 1:6). Jeremiah felt inadequate as a public speaker.

By the way, this excuse was shared by Moses (Ex. 4:10).

When they heard the news that I was called to preach, most people in my hometown thought the news bearer had made a mistake.

"Surely, you don't mean Ricky is called to preach. You must mean his twin brother Micky. Ricky is too quiet!"

When God's call came I felt honored but extremely inadequate. My lack of talent was obvious.

My quiet, shy nature was a detriment.

The Promise

Our talent may appear inadequate, but God always equips those he calls. We have the promise of God's provision.

"Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and told me: I have now filled your mouth with My words" (Jer. 1:9).

The touch was not so much to purify as it was to inspire and empower. It was symbolic of the gift of prophecy bestowed on Jeremiah. Jesus experienced this touch in a visible, yet profound way. Following his baptism, immediately coming out of the water, the heavens opened and the Spirit of God descended on him like a dove.

And God spoke,

"This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him" (Matt. 3:17).

God blesses not the silver-tongued orator, but the one whose tongue has been touched with coals from the altar.

God uses not the most gifted and talented person, but the one touched by the hand of God.

God uses the most unlikely persons to shake a church or a community or a nation. Never underestimate the power of the touch; especially when God does the touching.

Has God called you?

Then he will fulfill his purpose in you, he will equip you, he will enable you, he will protect you, he will accompany you.

Are you obeying his commands?

Then he is with you to protect you.

Are you sharing the word?

Then he will accomplish his purposes no matter how the people respond.

Shalom