Morning Devotion

Readings: Jeremiah 1:1-2:37, Psalm 116:5-14, Proverbs 27:1, Philippians 3:1-21

Jeremiah 1:5a
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you...

In this verse the LORD is speaking to Jeremiah and letting him know that He had a plan for Jeremiah even before he was born. He had planned for Jeremiah to be a prophet to proclaim a message to backslidden Israel.

God did not just know Jeremiah before he formed in the womb, but he also knew us as well. God had a special purpose for Jeremiah and set him apart from the time he was conceived. God has a purpose for each and every one of us as well. God knew before I was conceived that I would choose Him. God granted me faith to believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ. God knew the age I would believe. He knew what my circumstances would be. 

What is interesting to me is it says here before I formed you. Before we have bodies and are put in our mother's womb, God knows us. We have a soul that existed before we were even formed. While I will never fully understand all of this concept, it really puts into perspective how important we are to God. We may not believe that our lives matter or we may think we don't have a purpose in life. But God did not  make a mistake when he formed us. 

And what is sad is people who do not think twice about abortion. Life is more than our bodies. Life begins with God and a soul. And wicked human beings today want to try and destroy the life God has formed to bring into this world. 

It is very encouraging to me knowing God has a plan and a purpose for me before I was even formed in the womb. I have days that I sometimes feel discouraged due to the handicaps I have. The health issues I have faced all of my life sometimes causes me to question my existence. I find myself asking God what purpose do you have for me? The enemy comes in and tries to convince me I am of no use because of my limited mobility. I have to recognize the lies of the enemy and allow God to wash those thoughts out of my mind. 

2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

Surprisingly the answer on how to do this is also found in today's reading.

Philippians 3:13b-14
But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

I can sit back and dwell on the past and how I got to the point of being handicapped and allow the enemy to discourage me and tell me lies. Or I can choose to forget past mistakes and reach forward to what God has in store for me no matter what handicaps I face. He has a plan even when our bodies are limited. We are never useless to God unless we choose to be. 

God can and does use every single person on this earth for His purposes. We may not see it or know it. Many believe they are in control of their own lives. But God is sovereign and He has control. 

So in conclusion, I am in awe knowing that God knew me personally before I was born. He knew the handicaps I would face in life. Yet He chose me.

Gracious Heavenly Father,
Thank you for my life. Thank you for choosing me to be your servant. Amen.