It never fails to inspire me how many people have found my devotional book Daily Prayer (and its sequel Daily Prayer 2) to be of encouragement, help and inspiration. The number of letters and messages I’ve received thanking me for these is truly humbling, and they inspire me, in turn, in my continued writing. Here’s a session from Daily Prayer that I hope may speak to you.
The unwelcome call
Read
The word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations.’ Then I answered, ‘Ah, Lord God! I don’t know how to speak. I’m only a boy.’ But the Lord responded, ‘Do not say you’re only a boy; for you will go to those I send you to, and you will speak to them the words I give you. Do not be afraid of them, for I will watch over you and protect you; you have my word.’ Jeremiah 1:4-8
Ponder
What would we give to have the faith of Moses or Samuel, Elijah or Isaiah? How much easier it would be to serve God then. How much clearer our path would be. Have you ever felt like that? If so, think again, for when you read the biblical accounts of God calling people to service, almost always the initial response is the same: not delight but dismay, not pleasure but panic, not thanksgiving but fear. Look closer, and it’s hardly surprising, for, as we shall see later, the things God called people to do were onerous to say the least, nine times out of ten guaranteeing a less than enthusiastic reception. Few if any of those called considered themselves suited for the job, and most would have ducked it given the chance. Yet God was to equip each one to meet the task set before them.
We too may find ourselves facing challenges we believe beyond us, God’s call a disturbing experience rather than the joyride we might have hoped for. But, if we are ready to respond, then we, like those before us, will discover that when God asks us to do something, he gives us the resources we need to finish the job.
Ask yourself
Is God calling you to something you feel is beyond your capacity to meet? Are we looking at the situation through your eyes or God’s?
Pray
Gracious God, I thank you that you have spoken throughout history, calling people to your service. Thank you for those who have had the courage to respond, even when that call has involved unpopularity, ridicule and persecution. Thank you that they were ordinary everyday people, just like me, hesitant, fearful, uncertain of their ability to do what you asked of them, yet receiving the strength they needed when they needed it.
Still today you call your people to challenging areas of service – to jobs they would rather not do, issues they would rather not face and messages they would rather not deliver. Yet, once again, you promise that you will give each one of your people the resources they need to meet the task. Give me, then, courage to hear your voice and respond to your call. Through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.
Remember
Do not worry about what you should say: the words will be given to you when you need them – not your own words but those of the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Matthew 10:19-20
Close
Gracious God, give me strength to answer your call. May I be ready, like so many before me, to respond in faith and follow where you might lead, to the glory of your name. Amen.