Jeremiah 1:5

Jeremiah 1:5 “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 nation.” This verse is often used in devotionals to talk about abortion, and yet it seems that many Christians forget who is control of the birth process. We have fallen into the same thinking pattern that the world has which believes that man is in charge of his own destiny. We take for granted that God is in control of all life, and we try to take matters of life and death into our own hands…namely the life of a fetus. God has always known these living beings; He has created them and He has a purpose for them.

According to Jeremiah 1, that life inside a mother’s womb is a PERSON and that person was known by God before conception took place. He puts great emphasis on the importance of life throughout Scripture. People will have different opinions about this matter, but all of them will be judged by “the Word of the Lord.”(vs. 4) No matter how hard anyone tries to dehumanize a child in the womb, God sees that life in a different light. How can we Christians look at this child in way that is different than God’s way?

The unborn is also a product of God’s creation. The verse says, “before I formed you.” The word “formed” describes the creative work of a potter as he molds and shapes a vessel. David echoed this in Psalm 139:13-17 when he said, “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” How precious are the thoughts of God toward every one of His creations?

The unborn also has a purpose determined by God. Jeremiah’s purpose was to be a prophet for the nations. God sanctified and ordained a specific plan for his life. So many examples could be given of those that could have been aborted, but they went on to do great things because they were given the chance. No matter how large or small the purpose, God has given a purpose for every human life. What right does man believe he has to go against the Creator of all things?

I have had the wonderful privilege of watching my children being born, and holding them in my arms. I now have the wonderful blessing of holding my grandchildren in the same way. I continue to ask myself how anyone could take the life of one of these precious individuals that God has known since the beginning of time, and has created them for a purpose. We need to pray for our own children, our country, our leaders, and also the many little ones that are now in the balance of life because of man’s decision to take the place of God!

Devotional written by:
Jeff Borchardt, Assistant Pastor Calvary Baptist Church, Jefferson, WI
Board member of BFLW