Then I said, “Alas, Lord Yahweh! Behold, I do not know how to speak Because I am a youth.” But Yahweh said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And all that I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, For I am with you to deliver you,” declares Yahweh.
Jeremiah 1:6–8, LSB
We cannot do anything good without the guidance of God. Age does not bring greater wisdom because wisdom is from God. As we age, we gain experience and knowledge, but it is God who can give us the ability to best apply that experience and share that knowledge. Some of that knowledge gained comes from experiences better not had and from this God can give us wisdom to guide others away from those things. However, we are called, like Jeremiah, not to be afraid of those who don’t believe. Their anger or offense is not something we can control, nor should we be fearful of it when we seek to speak the truth in love. God does not seek for us to carry signs that condemn, but we are meant to speak the truth in love. Regardless of our age, God’s Word is truth, and we all are called to pray and seek God’s guidance in how we are to apply it in our lives and our witness. As we live in the truth of our Lord, we know we have His hand over us, and our lives are His. In this, we may find peace.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.