It Happened to You! – The Presidential Prayer Team

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you. – Jeremiah 1:5

Pause right now… think of the God of the Scripture that you know and love. He is so awesome! He is the Creator of the universe, including countless galaxies as big or bigger than the one you inhabit. And yet, the psalmist David understood that this God is personal. He “formed [David’s] inward parts” and knit him together in his mother’s womb. “My frame was not hidden from you when I was being made in secret” (Psalm 139:13, 15).

Today’s verse relates how God called Jeremiah to be a prophet. Jeremiah protested, “I am only a youth” (Jeremiah 1:7), but God was undeterred. He stated, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you” (v. 5). Pause again. This not only happened to Jeremiah… it happened to you!

No matter where you were born, in what situation, under good or bad conditions, with loving parents or not, in a country of freedom or not, God knew you before you were formed in the womb. And like Jeremiah, you have a purpose in God’s plan. Jeremiah was called to be a prophet in an evil, rebellious land. The outlook was grim, but he accepted the call and was faithful!

American poet James Russell Lowell penned these words: “Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide, In the strife of Truth with Falsehood, for the good or evil side.” You have been chosen by God to accomplish His will and be decisive for good. Ask Him to guide you today in doing your part. Then pray that those in authority in this nation will choose to do theirs and fight for all things good and true.

Today’s Verse: Jeremiah 1:5

“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.”

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Psalm 139:13-16, 23-24

For you formed my inward parts;
    you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
    my soul knows it very well.
¹⁵My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
    intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
    the days that were formed for me,
    when as yet there was none of them.

²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
²⁴And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!