Jeremiah 1 – The Lord calls Jeremiah as a prophet, foreordaining him and promising divine support despite his youth.
Here is your daily "Come Follow Me" devotional for Monday, October 20, 2026.
Scripture Reading:
Jeremiah 1:1–19. You can read the full text at: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/jer/1?lang=eng
Context:
The book of Jeremiah begins with the Lord calling Jeremiah to be a prophet during the thirteenth year of King Josiah's reign, around 627 or 626 BC. Jeremiah, a son of a priest from Anathoth, was quite young at the time, protesting his inexperience by stating, "I am a child" (Jeremiah 1:6). This period was marked by significant political and spiritual turmoil in Judah; while King Josiah attempted religious reforms, the people had largely fallen into deep apostasy and idolatry. The Assyrian Empire was in decline, and the threat of Babylonian power was rising, setting the stage for the destruction Jeremiah would eventually prophesy and witness. The Lord called Jeremiah to deliver a message of warning and repentance to Judah and surrounding nations, promising divine support despite the challenges he would face.
Reflective Questions:
1. Jeremiah initially felt inadequate for his prophetic calling, saying, "I am a child" (Jeremiah 1:6). In what ways might God's promise, "Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak" (Jeremiah 1:7), reassure you when you feel unprepared for a task the Lord asks of you?
2. The Lord told Jeremiah, "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 1:5). How does remembering your own foreordination and divine potential, as taught by modern prophets, influence your willingness to embrace and fulfill your covenant responsibilities today?
Closing Tying Insight:
Jeremiah's call to serve, despite his youth and feelings of inadequacy, beautifully illustrates the Lord's perfect foreknowledge and His power to qualify those whom He calls. He not only knew Jeremiah before his birth but also promised, "I am with thee to deliver thee" (Jeremiah 1:8). This divine assurance sustained Jeremiah through intense opposition and can likewise strengthen us as we strive to fulfill our own unique, covenant-tied responsibilities. Yielding to God's will and trusting in His enabling power allows us to overcome our perceived weaknesses.