Jer 1:4-5, 4 Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.
The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, with a satisfying assurance to himself that it had been the word of the Lord and not a delusion. Vs 5 uses the word “I” more than once to paint a picture of God working in him.
The call touched on 3 aspects of his life #1. Creation – “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you”. This is the beginning of life that the two other points rest on. In Eph 2:10 makes it clear the purpose for which we were created. We are God’s creation made and perfected in Christ for the purpose of good works.
#2. Set apart (salvation) – “5 before you were born I consecrated you”. The Apostle Paul echoes with similar words in giving his testimony of salvation, “But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace,” (Gal 1:15). The great Creator knows what use to make of every man before He makes him. This is setting a part for the Master’s use.
#3. Calling – “…I appointed you a prophet to the nations”. He created a minister who should be His mouthpiece, His representative, His ambassador. Observation itself teaches us that men are called and chosen of God to do special work in all departments of life.
As I discussed in the last devotional, God has a distinct purpose for each life, and our one aim should be to discover them by His word and prayer, and work out His plan.