Jeremiah’s Command
2003 : Week 3

Praise God. Last week we requested that you submit devotions. We hoped that, like the woman at the well, our readers would have the courage to come forward with a praise, song, poem, Bible verse or the revelation the Lord had illuminated in their lives. It didn’t take long for someone to answer the call.

This week’s message is from a brother in Christ who attends Crossroads Ministry in Normal, Illinois; J. D. Bridges has submitted today’s devotion. J. D. has been a Christian since 1992, and He was baptized that same year. He loves reading John Maxwell and Max Lucado. He has been a blessing to our congregation, and we love spending time with him. Judging by what
J. D. say’s below, he’ll bless us with more devotions. My brothers and sisters, who will testify next?

Jeremiah 18 as revealed by the Holy Spirit to J. D. Bridges…

God’s future plans for our lives are as close to our grasp now as the day we were born. As faithful servants, we are commanded to spend each day staying steadfast in prayer, looking, listening and actively pursuing the wonders He has in store for our lives. While each day may not be a life-changing revelation, there are times when the simplest commands can provide the greatest blessings if we are obedient to Him.

Unfortunately, when God tells us to do something, we don’t always do it immediately. Maybe it’s a call to the ministry. Maybe it’s a call to change jobs. Maybe it’s a call to forgive. Maybe it’s a call to Him. Instead of doing as we’re told, our human nature compels us to ask “Why?” And—like my parents used to tell me as a child— He replies with, “Because I told you so. That’s why.” Even worse, my dad would respond with a raised eyebrow. I’m still afraid of that look.

For some time now, I have experienced a call to write. Maybe a call to write is too strong of a term. As the name of this website implies, one might say it was more of a still, small voice. At first, I doubted what I felt.

“I’m an engineer. Engineers don’t write. We add and subtract.”, I’d reason with myself. Did I also mention we like to have all the answers before proceeding to the next step?

Still, the voice was persistent and simple. “Write.”

“Well, what am I supposed to write?” I repeatedly asked. “Should I be writing music? Should I be writing poetry? Should I be writing a book?”

“Just write,” the voice insisted.

In the Old Testament, God gave Jeremiah a very simple command,

² Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.”
³ So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel.
⁴ But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.
⁵ Then the word of the Lord came to me:     Jeremiah 18:2-5 (NIV)

He didn’t ask, “Why?”. He didn’t say, “What’s down there?” He didn’t say, “Why can’t you give me the message here?” He just did it. A very simple command was given and like a faithful servant, Jeremiah did exactly as told. As a result of his obedience, the Lord provided a powerful message for the nation of Israel. Not only did He provide a powerful message, but He also provided a perfect portrayal of that message in the potter’s house.

What powerful message are you missing? Are you asking, “Why?”, when you should be saying, “Okay, I’ll do it.” Are you looking for the reason, when you should be running out the door to the potter’s house? Stop. Go here. Move on. Let go. Write. Is there a voice commanding you to do something?

After several months of asking, “Why?” I began writing late one Saturday evening. I wrote down one thought. Then, I wrote down the next thought, and another, and another. Soon, I had written a full page. As I finished writing for the evening, I was still no closer to an answer to my original question: Why? All I knew is that I had written.

Twelve hours later, God answered my question. As the founder of this website and I traveled to lunch on Sunday afternoon, I asked him how the website was progressing. He responded in a way I will never forget; I still get chills thinking about it. God had lain upon his heart that “Still Small Voice” was to be a forum for all Christian writers. As everyone has a unique walk with God, so too, does everyone have a unique story or blessing waiting to be told. I told him of my previous night’s writing frenzy, and I can only tell you the remainder of the trip was filled with laughter and praise as we both realized God’s amazing power.

A still, small voice provided the command. A still, small voice provided the answer. May the Holy Spirit inspire your thoughts and submissions to this website. God bless.


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