GOD’S EYE IS LOOKING YOUR WAY
Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10
INTRODUCTION
Jeremiah has been called the “weeping prophet”. God’s judgments were about to fall upon the nation. God had become fed up with their
indifference, rebellion, and sin, and through Jeremiah was giving them a last chance to repent and return to him, but they would not. Jeremiah
wept over them as Jesus wept over Jerusalem many years later, when they had refused his messiahship. Jeremiah’s messages were prefaced with “thus saith the Lord!” Jeremiah has been called the man who was
out of step with his greeting, but he was in step with God. He was not popular with the king or the people but his ways pleased God.
I. Jeremiah was a young man when God called him.
The Lord said to Jeremiah, “Before you were born, I had chosen you to speak for me,” and “dedicated you to be a Prophet to the nations.. The time has come for you to be about your Father’s business.”
God needs dedicated young people today. The need is just as urgent as it was in Jeremiah’s day. Response to his call is so important.
A Sunday School teacher became deeply concerned about the conversion of young woman in her class, She visited her home and presented to her the claims of Christ. The girl listened with respect but
said that she was young and had plenty of time, but in her later years would give the subject serious consideration. The teacher went away
sorrowful and on her way happened to pass a flower shop. Going in she purchased a dozen of long-stemmed roses. She left them in the box for several days and then mailed them to the girl who received the
package with great joy, but when she opened the box she believed that someone had played a joke upon her. Then the teacher called again and the girl told her about the flowers. The teacher said, “I sent them to you”. When you chose not to give Christ your youthful years, you really decided to present him later a life’s faded and withered like these roses.” The girl said, “Teacher, I see it now, it will not be that way. I will give my life to Christ at once and live for him”.
When God said to Jeremiah, “I want to channel my message for the people through you”.
II. Jeremiah did not answer God with a “speak Lord for thy servant heareth”, or an here am I, send me”. The Prophets of old never rushed hurriedly into the prophetic ministry. They frequently tried to back off from it. Moses said, “I am not
eloquent.” Isaiah said, “I am a man of unclean lips.” Jonah fled in fear. Jeremiah said, “Ah, Lord God I cannot speak for I am a child.” God replied, “Just be willing, I will make you adequate.” “Don’t be afraid of the people’s black looks. I am with you. I will tell you what
to say”. Not everyone is called in the same manner. Moses was called by a voice from a burning bush. Samuel was called by a voice in the temple
at night. Andrew and Simon were called as they worked with their nets. Matthew was collecting taxes when he was called. Zacheus was up in a tree. God speaks to people in various ways.
Hitchhiking one day, a Canadian evangelist noticed a farmer plowing his field. Then he saw a lunch pail near a fence post. He opened the pail and placed a Gospel tract inside and went on. At noon the farmer found the tract. He did not understand how it got there but its contents were a message to his soul and that tract was the means of his
conversion. Again, God’s message might come through the words of a little child.
A visitor left an Almanac at a house. On the cover was Holman Hunt’s picture; Jesus the light of the world. When his father come home from work the little boy ran to him with the picture lying, “Look Daddy, who is it?” The father did not answer. The little fellow persisted
“Who is it?” The father said, “It’s a man of course”. “What’s his name daddy?” “Christ!” “What’s he doing daddy?” “He’s knocking at the door.” “How long will he knock?” “I don’t know”. “What’s the knocking for?” “He wants in.” “Why don’t they open the door daddy?” “I’d open the door. Wouldn’t you daddy?” Later, both
husband and wife confessed that the boy’s questions had stirred their hearts and both had received the Lord’s as Savior, God speaks from the Bible, or through a Gospel song. God speaks through a sermon or
the example of a good life. He often speaks through an awakened memory, or in the time of emergency. It is a tremendous experience to
recognize the still small voice as the voice of God.
The Lord has everyone’s life planned. He comes to us and says, “I know you, I have been thinking about you. I love you. I need you. Please let me have control over your life.” First always is the invitation “Come unto me.” That means forgiveness. Next he says “Follow me.” That means discipleship. Then he says “Take my yoke upon you and that means companionship. We go with him and he goes with us.
III. Jeremiah Found God’s Grace sufficient
He was faithful to God’s call. God was faithful to Jeremiah, but he had his hours of discouragement and other dismal “D’s” plague him. Some
of the dismal “D’s” are delay, discontent, denial and depression, but in all his low moments God was there to whisper “Keep faith, Don’t quit, I am with you.”
A young man taught a class of boys in a mission Sunday school. He had won their confidence through kindness and interest. After a while
he became discouraged and was tempted to quit. Going to the church early on that last Sunday he went to the office to get his records in order. While doing that two of his boys entered the Sunday School
room near the office. One of the boys said, “I’m not coming to Sunday School anymore. Teacher is quitting as so am I.” The other boy said, “He doesn’t dare to quit. He told us kids that Gods had sent him, that
he was God’s man and he dare not quit.” Through that small boy his spirit of heaviness was lifted and being called God’s man kept him from quitting.
IV. Your Talent is needed by God
Moses dedicated his shepherd’s crook to God. Mighty things were accomplished when God’s power flowed through that rod. Joshua had a spear which he dedicated to God and the spear was used to perform
miracles. David had a sling and stone which in the name of the Lord brought down a giant. A lad had five loaves and two fish which he gave to Jesus and 5000 were fed. Dorcas had a needle and dedicated it to God. With her needle clothes were made for the poor. What do you have to dedicate to the Lord?
One Sunday morning a minister had preached on missions. He noted that many were showing a lack of interest in the subject. It was with a feeling of failure that he called for the missionary offering. A little girl sat on the very last row. Her heart had been moved by the message. As she sat there the Lord said, “Maggie you could give your crutches.”
She said. “I couldn’t walk without them.” The voice said, “Your crutches could be sold and other boys and girls could hear about me.” Tears were running down her cheeks but when the usher reached her, she placed the crutches on the offering plate. The usher balanced them on the plate as he walked up the aisle with the other men. The people began to sit up and take notice. Someone said, “Maggie has given her crutches for missions.” When the ushers reached the pulpit the banker bought the crutches for
$ 50.00 and sent them back to the little crippled girl on the back row. Another offering was called for and this time the plates came back filled with cash and checks because a little girl obeyed God and dedicated all that she had.
CONCLUSION
What do you have to dedicate? A broom, a dustpan, a hammer, a saw. Use them for God. What do you have, a pen? A pen is a marvellous thing. Harriet Bewecher Stowe stabbed slavery in the back with a pen. Perhaps you have a paint brush? Use it for God. What do you have? A voice, a smile, a friendly handshake? Dedicated it to God. I once
attended a great missionary meeting when people were rising to their feet and dedicating their personal items to God for missions. One young man stood and said, “I have no money. I want to dedicate myself to Mexican missions”. He became a missionary to Mexico. Good needs you with your talents. He wants dedication on your part.
He has his eye upon you. Just be willing and he will make you adequate.
