known

Read > Jeremiah 1:4-10

I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as My prophet to the nations (v. 5).

Hey, Gina.” The greeting was casual, but nonetheless surprising. Granted, I like my venti, decaf, non-fat, extra hot mocha all the way to the top, but I don’t go to Starbucks every day. I can only assume my high-maintenance order had emblazoned my name on the barrista’s mind. Amid my surprise, a lesson from the Lord hit home. I am known.

Who am I? Where am I going? Does my life matter? These are questions we all ponder, even believers. Drowning in the enemy’s lies of our insignificance, we sometimes hide away. Thinking no one sees, we suddenly hear a voice. Looking up, we realize that the God of the universe has just spoken our name (Isaiah 43:1)! We are not just seen. We are known.

The weeping prophet Jeremiah was a young man who had been set apart from the womb. Appointed for a daunting task, Jeremiah was called to facilitate God’s redemptive plan by bringing the Israelites to repentance. For Jeremiah, however, the difficulty of his task at times led to doubts.

Just like the prophet, life’s challenges may have caused you to question what you know is true. Does God really know how many hairs are on my head? Does He really see the deep places I’m walking? Jeremiah himself asked questions like these (Jeremiah 15:15-18).

First Peter 2:9 tells us we are “royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession.” Our purpose is not found on a billboard from God that states: “Go this way.” We are His vessels called to carry His redemptive message in our lives. He wants us to rest in the assurance that we are known and that He is a God who is “watching, and … will certainly carry out all [His] plans” (Jeremiah 1:12). – Regina Franklin

More >

·         Psalm 139:1-5

·         1 Corinthians 13:12

·         1 Thessalonians 1:2-8

Next >

What hinders you from believing God is intimately acquainted with your life? Do you believe you carry the message of God’s redemption in you? How does this affect you?