Today I started a Bible study in the book of Jeremiah. I’m using a new Bible which I was able to buy thanks to some Christmas gifts from home. It’s The Renovaré Spiritual Formation Bible. I love its commentary and the format. Check it out at http://www.renovare.org/. I’ll write some other time about the virtues of Renovaré. Today I learned again a lesson I should know well. Sometimes God chooses to reinforce a lesson immediately and still I don’t remember the right response. I could blame it on being tired, late or something. But really, I just haven’t made this lesson a habit in my life. So, what was the lesson? Well, you might guess it has to do with language and communication. As I was reading the first verses of Jeremiah I came to this conversation he had with the Lord:
"Ah, Sovereign Lord," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child."
[7] But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.
[8] Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the Lord.
[9] Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth. Jeremiah 1:6-9
Evie’s translation: “Oh, but Lord I can’t speak to them. I don’t speak Latvian or Russian. But, the Lord said to me, “Don’t say that. You will speak to all I send you and you will say whatever I tell you to say. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, because I am with you. I am putting my words in your mouth.”
Here is some of the commentary on these verses: “When the prophet speaks in response to the call of God, his first word is a word of resistance. The one called for divine work immediately senses his limitations for that work. He tries to beg off, listing his inadequacies. Jeremiah was not being modest…he was simply being truthful. This is quite typical of the call for divine service, and quite beside the point (!)…The story is not about the singular virtues of the one being called. The story is about a risk-taking, bold sort of God who reaches in and calls people for divine service, giving them what they need for that service…This is the sort of God who says, in effect, “I’m getting ready to change, revolutionize, renovate, and reorient the whole world – and guess who’s going to help me? (!)”
Wow! Those are powerful, challenging and encouraging words. They should have gotten me through at least one day, wouldn’t you think? I walked into the office a bit late so prayers had already started. When I went in, they were all talking animatedly in Russian. I could feel my face and body react, as I thought “There is no reason for me to be here. I can’t understand a word.” And I sort of slumped into the chair. I couldn’t shake it, even though Arturs graciously started translating for me. It took me several minutes before I settled down and reminded myself of what I had just read and prayed only an hour earlier. Fortunately, God is gracious and did calm my heart during our prayer time. So, maybe next time my first reaction will be with the right spirit.
"Ah, Sovereign Lord," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child."
[7] But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.
[8] Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the Lord.
[9] Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth. Jeremiah 1:6-9
Evie’s translation: “Oh, but Lord I can’t speak to them. I don’t speak Latvian or Russian. But, the Lord said to me, “Don’t say that. You will speak to all I send you and you will say whatever I tell you to say. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, because I am with you. I am putting my words in your mouth.”
Here is some of the commentary on these verses: “When the prophet speaks in response to the call of God, his first word is a word of resistance. The one called for divine work immediately senses his limitations for that work. He tries to beg off, listing his inadequacies. Jeremiah was not being modest…he was simply being truthful. This is quite typical of the call for divine service, and quite beside the point (!)…The story is not about the singular virtues of the one being called. The story is about a risk-taking, bold sort of God who reaches in and calls people for divine service, giving them what they need for that service…This is the sort of God who says, in effect, “I’m getting ready to change, revolutionize, renovate, and reorient the whole world – and guess who’s going to help me? (!)”
Wow! Those are powerful, challenging and encouraging words. They should have gotten me through at least one day, wouldn’t you think? I walked into the office a bit late so prayers had already started. When I went in, they were all talking animatedly in Russian. I could feel my face and body react, as I thought “There is no reason for me to be here. I can’t understand a word.” And I sort of slumped into the chair. I couldn’t shake it, even though Arturs graciously started translating for me. It took me several minutes before I settled down and reminded myself of what I had just read and prayed only an hour earlier. Fortunately, God is gracious and did calm my heart during our prayer time. So, maybe next time my first reaction will be with the right spirit.
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