I Sanctified Thee

Scriptural Lesson
Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,  Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Jeremiah 1:4-5 (King James Version)
 
Meditation
There are so many great nuggets from our scripture today. Our promise for today is really more of a fact, than a promise. God tells Jeremiah that before he was formed, God knew him. How can God know us before conception? Because we are not flesh and blood. We are spirit. We are spirit, we have as soul and we live in a body. However, before our soul, which includes our minds and emotions, and before our physical bodies began to form, we were spirit. And we were known by God.
 
He then tells Jeremiah that He sanctified him before he was born. “Sanctified” means to set apart as holy. Before Jeremiah was even born, God set him aside as holy. He goes on to say that He ordained Jeremiah to be a prophet to the nations.
 
Just as with Jeremiah, God knew each of us before we were ever physically conceived. We were spirit and we were with Him. God has also set us aside and has a plan for us. Just as God told Jeremiah in chapter 29:11, God knows the thoughts that He has towards us. We may not all be called to be prophets to the nations, but we are called to spread His word.
 
In the next few verses, Jeremiah tells God that he cannot do this task because he is only a child, as if God did not know his age. God tells Jeremiah that He does not want to hear his excuses. Before He comforts Jeremiah, He gets him straight. He tells Jeremiah that you are going to do whatever I tell you to do. Then He comforts him by telling him not to be afraid of their faces because he would deliver him.
 
God has sanctified and set us apart also. Not because of the church we belong to or by any act of our own. He sanctified us because He has a work for us to do. You are not here by accident. You were not a mistake. You may not have been planned by your parents, but you part of the infinite plan of God. You are here for a reason.
 
Affirmations
I am here for a reason. God knew me before I was conceived. I am not a mistake. I am part of God’s infinite plan. I am gratefully rejoicing for the fact that God has sanctified me. In Jesus Name.

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Scriptural Lesson
Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.
Isaiah 48:17 
 
Meditation
You can tell a lot about a person by their conversation. A person’s conversation can give you insight about their personality. Some people are very analytical so they like to analyze the events of the day. Some people like to look at situations through the eyes of humor. So they will make jokes about current events and see the lighter side of things. Some people are paranoid and suspicious so they question everything. You also get an idea of a person’s core values by their conversation.
 
In the 48th chapter of Isaiah, you get to see some of the personality of God through His conversation. You can see that God is a caring and compassionate God. He tells them that He warned them about the terrible things that would happen to Israel long time ago but they would not listen. You can see that God is confident. He tells them that He alone is God. He is Alpha and Omega. You can also tell that one of God’s core values is for His people to prosper.
 
It is in this conversation that we find our promise for today. He tells Israel that He is the God that teaches and directs. He teaches them how to profit and leads them in the way they should go. God tells them if they had only listened to Him and followed His commandment, they would have peace flowing like a river. God wanted them to live a fulfilling, success life that was profitable. He did not want them owing anyone. He would teach them to profit.
 
What and awesome promise. For a business to make a profit, it must make more money than it spends. Every company in business must make more than they spend in order to stay open. Businesses spend millions of dollars on books, programs and consultants every year trying to figure out how to do this. Yet we hear God promising Israel that He will teach them to profit. That promise is available to us today. But we must not be afraid to step out on the things that God tells us to do. So don’t be afraid of those great, money making ideas that are inspired by God. Notice it did not say that He was the God that teaches us just how to get by, but the God that teaches us how to profit. God has not changed. He is still the best business consultant there is. He book has been on the best seller’s list for as long as there has been one.
 
Affirmations
God wants me to be successful. He has promised to lead and guide me. I will follow His instructions and seek Him when I am confused. I am gratefully rejoicing for the promise that God will teach me to profit. In Jesus Name.

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Scriptural Lesson
And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.
Joshua 3:7
 
Meditation
As we discussed yesterday, Joshua had a challenging task to complete. He had to make sure that the children of Israel acquired the land that God had promised them. There were battles to fight as well as land to oversee. He had to insure that the right tribe got the right land and that everything was done as God had instructed through Moses. This would require a lot of hard, diligent work on Joshua’s part. That was fine because that was something that Joshua could control. It would also require that Joshua had the respect of his people as well as the nations  he was going up against. This was something that Joshua could not control. He would need God’s help.
 
God was ready to help. In our promise today, God tells Joshua that He would begin to magnify him in the sight of all Israel so that everyone would know that God was with him, just like He was with Moses. God would magnify Joshua. We are custom to reading the Bible’s instructions for man to magnify God, but here God is saying that He would magnify man. What a phenomenal thought.
 
Many times we find ourselves in a similar situation as Joshua. We are facing task that are challenging.  Although we have been called by God to complete the challenge, we may feel that we are always trying to prove ourselves to others. If we have been called to complete a task that was started by someone it, it can be difficult to gain the trust and respect of the people, especially if the previous person was strong and well liked. Often, we spend too much time trying to prove ourselves. Responding to statements such as “Our previous leader didn’t do it like this” or “We have always done it this way” can be frustrating and counterproductive.
 
Praise God that you do not have to face this alone. We often say that God never calls you to an assignment that He has not equipped you to do. He will help you. Not only are you anointed with the power to complete the task, He will magnify in the eyes of the people. The power of God in you will cause people to respect and admire you. However, with such power and charisma comes responsibility. Make sure that you treat people in a way that deserves their respect.
 
Affirmations
I am equipped to complete any task that God assigns me to. I can face the challenge of gain the respect of people because I show God’s love to everyone I meet. I am gratefully rejoicing for the promise that God will magnify me. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Scriptural Lesson
There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Joshua 1:5
 
Meditation
Joshua had a tremendous task ahead of him. His mentor and teacher, Moses, was dead and now he was expected to finish the work that God started with Moses. There were so many challenges to overcome. He had a lot of people to lead who had a history of not having the greatest respect for leadership and authority. They were not familiar with this new territory. There was no map that they could refer to; they just had to trust God to lead them. And then, of course, there were the people that still lived in the land. They would have to fight for this land. It was not like then could just walk up to someone’s house and say, “Hi, we are the children of Israel and God has given us your land”. They would have to fight.
 
Joshua needed a word of encouragement to complete this task. That word would come directly from God. This is where we find our promise for today. God promises Joshua that He would not fail or forsake him. He also tells him that He would be with him just has He been with Moses. That is a huge promise because God and Moses had a strong relationship. To some it was unbelievable. God and Moses would talk for hours at a time. God even showed Himself, as much as He could, to Moses. The Bible claims that Moses was considered a friend of God. Now, God was telling Joshua that He would be with Him just like He was with Moses. What an awesome thought.
 
For the Christian, this awesome thought is nothing compared with the relationship we now have with God. God is with us and in us. He will not fail us and He will not leave us. As we face challenges that seem impossible to overcome, realize that the entire power of the universe resides in you because God is in you. We cannot fail because God will not fail us. Therefore, we must change how we view situations in our lives. When things do not happen as we would like, we must learn from those situations and allow that knowledge to propel us to the next level. Remember, God is with us.
 
Affirmations
I am a friend of God. No matter what challenges I face, God is with me. I am never alone. I am gratefully rejoicing for the promise that God will never fail me or forsake me. In Jesus Name.

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Scriptural Lesson
For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Isaiah 55:10-11
 
Meditation
God has faith in His words. He explains through Isaiah the prophet that His words are like rain on the earth. The purpose of rain and snow is to water the earth. That water makes the earth bring forth. The earth cannot decide that it does not want to produce. If you give it enough water and sunlight, something will produce, even if it is weeds.
 
God further explains that His words will not return to Him void. They can’t. He has commanded them using the words “shall not”. It is like God is speaking to His words. He tells them that they “shall not” return to Him void. He then instructs the words as to what they should do. His words are to accomplish what He pleases and they are to prosper the thing He sends it to. God’s words are powerful.
 
But guess what? He has given our words the same power. We are told in Mark 11:23 that our words are just as powerful. However, we must believe and not doubt. Jesus gives us a clue in Mark 11:22 that is often overlooked because of how it was translated in the King James Version. We typically read this passage to say “Have faith in God”. However, more literal translations, such as the 1898 Young’s Literal Translation reads, “Have faith of God”. So we are told here that we must have the same kind of faith that God has. God says that His words will accomplish what He pleases. Jesus says that you shall have what you say. God says that His words shall not return to Him void. Jesus says that you must believe and not doubt that whatever you say shall come to past. God and Jesus are saying the same thing.
 
If you don’t like what you have, stop saying what you are saying. Things do work out for you. You are successful. You do accomplish anything you put your mind to. You are just like your Father. You have what you say.
 
Affirmations
I am just like my Heavenly Father. His words prospers the things it is sent to and so do mine. His words accomplish what He pleases and so do mine. I am gratefully rejoicing for the promise that God’s Word does not return to Him void. Neither does mine, In Jesus Name.

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Scriptural Lesson
And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. 
Joel 2:25

Meditation
The 2nd chapter of Joel begins with a devastating prophecy concerning locust.  Destruction was eminent because Judah would not obey God.  He warns them how terrible this plague would be.  However, He also asked them to turn back to Him.  He tells them that He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness.  He loves them and He wants their love in return.

As a loving God, He is a God of restoration.  Throughout this chapter, God promises Judah restoration.  This is where we find our promise for today.  He promised restoration for the years that were eaten up by locust and cankerworm.  By nature, when locusts attack crops, not only do they eat up the current harvest, but they also destroy the buds and seeds of future harvest.  God promises not only to restore the harvest, but also to restore the years of future produce.  What a wonderful God we serve.

This promise tells us about the nature of God.  Not only will God restore the things that we have lost due to our own poor choices, He will also restore our dreams and the future of those dreams.  Just turn to God.  In true relationship and fellowship with Him, He will lead and guide you.  He will restore lost opportunities and chances.  It is never too late.  He is a God of restoration.

Affirmations
God is a God of restoration.  I know God loves me and I know that I love God.  I am gratefully rejoicing for the promise that God will restore unto me the years that have been eaten up by the locust of poor choices and bad decisions.

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Scriptural Lesson
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.  Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:11-13

Meditation
God had a plan for Israel.  His plan was to make them a great nation.  However, Israel was not cooperating.  They had forsaken God many times and were now paying the price.  They were in captivity.  However, God had not given up on them.  Although things did not look good right now, God still had a plan.  However, Israel would have to do their part.

Our promise today comes from a letter that God told Jeremiah to write the remaining elders of Jerusalem.  He basically told them to get comfortable where they were.  Although prophets were saying that they would be delivered soon, God had warned them that they would be there for 70 years and 70 years it was.  It would not be a day sooner.  So, they might as well get comfortable.  God told them to build houses, find wives and plant gardens.  They would be there awhile.

However, after the 70 years God would bring them back.  He had a plan, but they would have to cooperate.  Why would they have to do anything if it was God’s plan?  God’s plan does not supersede our freewill.  Look at our scripture for today and see at all the things that we are required to do.  “Then shall you call upon me”, You shall go and pray unto me”, You shall seek me, and find me and search for me with all your heart”.  The promise of “I will hearken unto you” comes with all of these requirements.  Not only must be diligently seek Him, we must find Him.

As born again Christians, our search for God has been made easy by the Holy Spirit.  We do not have to travel to various locations or seek Him through strange means.  The Bible tells us not only is the Holy Spirit in us, but Jesus and God are also in us.  Now that we know where He is, we must call on Him and yield to His direction.

Affirmations
God has a plan for me.  I will cooperate.   God has thoughts of peace toward me.  That includes completeness, health, tranquility, prosperity, and the absence of agitation or discord.  I know where to find God because the Bible says He is in me.  I am gratefully rejoicing for the promise that God will hearken unto me.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Scriptural Lesson
Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:…Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.
Is 44:2-3, 8
 
 
Meditation
We conclude our look at the promises of God that deal with the command to “fear not”. We have seen in our previous lessons that God has told us not to fear because He is there to help us. He promises to strengthen us and uphold us. How can He do this? He is God and besides Him there is no other.
 
Isaiah chapter 44 is a great chapter to get a glimpse of the personality of God. God does not suffer from self esteem issues. God does not doubt who He is. As His children, we should walk in this same confidence. Listen to the first 8 verses of this chapter as recorded in the Living Bible Translation.

“But now, listen to me, Jacob my servant, Israel my chosen one. The Lord who made you and helps you says: Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, O dear Israel,[a] my chosen one. For I will pour out water to quench your thirst and to irrigate your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your children. They will thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank. Some will proudly claim, ‘I belong to the Lord.’ Others will say, ‘I am a descendant of Jacob.’ Some will write the Lord’s name on their hands and will take the name of Israel as their own.” This is what the Lord says— Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies: “I am the First and the Last; there is no other God. Who is like me? Let him step forward and prove to you his power. Let him do as I have done since ancient times when I established a people and explained its future. Do not tremble; do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim my purposes for you long ago? You are my witnesses—is there any other God? No! There is no other Rock—not one!”
 
God knows who He is. Do you know who you are? You are His child. He made you. Therefore, He tells you that you do not have to be afraid. He will quench your thirst and water your dry fields. What happens when you add water to dry fields, they begin to produce. They thrive. God had promised that He will do His part in order for us to thrive. He is God and besides Him, there is no other.
 
Affirmations
There is no God besides our God. He is the beginning and the end. I will not walk in fear. I will walk in courage and victory. God has promised to help me and I believe that He is able to do what He promises.
I am gratefully rejoicing for the promise that God will pour His blessing upon me.

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