Name Calling
Lam.3:19-26
6-14-2009
….Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." …
Jeremiah was called by God to speak to His people but it was no joy ride, no walk in the park, it was sorrows upon heart ache, tears and pain and danger beyond our imaginings, and God, the Lord of Hosts up held Him. How many of you have made your life’s work, your pursuit, the passion of your hearts primary qualification: ‘cry out loud a lot’? Oh please let me get a job that causes people to hate me. Oh if only I could get a job that as a bonus I could get thrown into a deep mud filled cistern, I’d really like that.
In the call of being one of God’s prophets came the perks of the Job. Of course we all know that doing the will of the Lord bears with it tremendous blessing from the Lord. Our difficulty is being short sighted. Seeing beyond the moment in time we happen to just now be occupying is one of our greatest shortcomings. This is true for all of us I expect.
Jeremiah was called from birth to be God’s vessel - JER 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew n you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." Even though he was called to be a prophet to the people and nations, that did not mean he labored without care or compassion. After all his pleadings with the people of God, all the abuses suffered by their hands, all his words of warnings to the surrounding nations and the reward of their insults upon his person, he still cared. Jeremiah wept in great sorrow for their suffering and losses because of their rebellion. He had pleaded for the mercy of God towards them but He would not relent and they would not repent and Jeremiah cried.
OK! What does that have to do with all of us common folk who are not called from birth to suffer terrible things in the service of our Lord and Savior Jesus? Well here is the point, this is what is common ground between him and you and between him and me and between you and I – JER 15:16 When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty.
Two parts to this passage or of interest: the delight of the heart and the name born. I can not say how your heart rejoices at the word of God I can only say how it touches my own but the name to which you have been called, to that I can speak. The name of the Almighty had been cast upon the soul of Jeremiah even so it is cast upon your soul.
Depending on the translation read from we find either –“..for I am called by Your name..” or “..For Your Name is called on me..” Each casts a little different light, a little. When the name of the Lord is called over a person, something Devine, something greater than human abilities takes place. Notice the language in Numbers 6:22-27 “…..So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
In who’s name where you baptized? Not in mine or Paul’s or Peter’s. If you have been baptized it was done in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. If you were baptized it was done in the name of the Lord and His name is Jesus. What ever your journey, what ever your struggle, what ever pain and sorrow, you are His and He will see you through to His purpose and Glory for He is Gracious. …His great love’