God forms each of us in our mother’s wombs, and knows us intimately from the earliest stages of our existence. The prophet Jeremiah learned this truth from the Lord’s own mouth:

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.

A prophet to the nations—Jeremiah wanted no part. He sputtered, Alas, Sovereign Lord, I do not know how to speak; I am too young. Anything, God, but don’t make me go yell in the streets to jeering crowds. The Lord rolled over Jeremiah’s feeble objections:

Do not say, “I am too young.” You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do be be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you.

Then the Lord reached out and touched Jeremiah’s mouth, sending a wave of power and confidence through his entire being. The Lord finished Jeremiah’s commissioning with this charge: I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.

Jeremiah took on the mantle of prophet and doggedly proclaimed God’s message through the reigns of three kings, faithful even to the exile of Jerusalem. He moved at God’s direction all his life.

I never received dramatic instructions like Jeremiah. But I find comfort knowing that from the womb the Lord knew me and held plans for me. Many of us spend a lot of time searching for God’s will, but even as we search we can enjoy the Lord, who stays with us all along the way.

The promise I am with you held true for Jeremiah throughout his tumultuous life, and holds true for you and me today.

Jeremiah 1 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Viviana Rishe