“Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.” Jeremiah 1:9
Dear Ones:
When the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, He said a most marvelous, and powerful thing: “And my speech and my preaching was NOT with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and power.” (1 Cor. 2:4) He is declaring that there is no difference between what he was, how he spoke in everyday life, and how he proclaimed the word of God. For all tasks, it was imperative that he abide in Christ, for without Him, he could do nothing…specifically, that which would count for eternity. It is extremely important that the preaching of the word of God be done in the power of the Spirit. It is also equally important that our conversation be directed, and controlled by the Spirit. Every utterance that Jesus made on this earth, to meet the needs of men, was by the Spirit.
Jeremiah wrote: “Then the Lord put forth His hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, ‘Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.'” (Jer.1:9) Later on He will tell Jeremiah to, “…arise, and speak unto them all that I commanded you.” (v.17) God never commands us to DO what He doesn’t provide for. In Isaiah 51:16, we read: “And I have put My words in your mouth, and I have covered you in the shadow of mine hand.'” The point of these declarations is to affirm to us the WAY of God’s blessing and intervention…it is BY His word. He speaks, and He works…often simultaneously. When the day of Pentecost came, and there was the outpouring of the Spirit of God upon the disciples, they all (men and women) prophesied, declaring the wondrous works of God. They preached by the Spirit. They spoke the wonderful works of God by the Spirit. The great issue here is realizing that we have been called to a life of faith, in whatever capacity the Lord directs us, to live, speak, or preach…by the Spirit. The work of God ALWAYS has its origin, and out-working, by God the Holy Spirit, and only for His glory.
How does this apply to us all? We are all called to Christ, to communion with Christ. We are all equipped with certain spiritual gifts and capacities. It matters not if we have the gift of the evangelist, or the gift of helps. The same principle of Life applies to both, and to all. Our calling is to live BY Christ, BY His Spirit. Why? Because it is God who is at work in us, and through us. The principle is illustrated by a very simple measuring cup. When it is totally surrendered to the control of the Master, He takes it, empties it of all lesser things. He cleans it, in order to pour into it, Life-giving water. Once this occurs, the question becomes: How much can and will the cup be willing to receive, and for what purpose? We know from the example of the Lord Jesus, that He was ALWAYS receiving from His Father all that was needful for the accomplishment of His purposes. He was constantly filled with the Spirit, so that, whether in a conversation, or preaching to the multitude, He was led BY the Spirit. All ministry was of God, not man striving to produce only that which God could give.
The question then becomes for us: In the capacity in which God has called us, are we GOOD RECEIVERS, in order to communicate Life to others? The treasure of the Spirit of God within our hearts is immeasurable, not only in the resources which respond to every need, but in the power to overcome every obstacle in the use of them.
Dear Father, because you are infinitely worthy and good, grant to us the fullness of the Spirit of God, and keep us filled to overflowing all through this day. Then we shall have Life, and the words of Life, to give to others. Then, they will see the reality of what it means to trust, and know You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad