Built Different

How God Makes Men

“The LORD called me from the womb,
from the body of my mother he named my name.
He made my mouth like a sharp sword;
in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me a polished arrow;
in his quiver he hid me away.”
Isaiah 49:2 (ESV)

A Messianic Prophecy → A New Man Mission

We are built different.

Four Men, Four Calls to Men of God

1. Jeremiah reminds us that we are CALLED TO SPEAK TRUTH

“He made my mouth like a sharp sword…”

“Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations…’
‘…Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak…’”
(Jeremiah 1:4–7, ESV)

“Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the LORD said to me,
‘Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.’”
(Jeremiah 1:9, ESV)

• Men are leaders and Leaders speak truth!
• We don’t speak a political message—we speak a prophetic message.
• Be careful what words come out of your mouth.
• Remember, There is power in the tongue.

He can’t draw His Word out of you if you haven’t hidden it within you.

David says in Psalm 19 that the Word of the Lord is perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, and true. Then he concludes:

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
(Psalm 19:14, ESV)

Hide His Word in your heart so He can put it in your mouth.

2. Moses reminds us that we are CALLED TO BE SUBMITTED

“…in the shadow of his hand he hid me.”

Jesus was hidden for 30 years before He was revealed.

In the wilderness Moses learned the grace of being hidden in God.

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the LORD, ‘My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.’”
(Psalm 91:1–2, ESV)

Before God reveals us, He will first conceal us.

There is no greater place to hide than in him

3. Joseph reminds us that we are each CALLED TO SURRENDER TO THE PROCESS

“He made me a polished arrow…”

Joseph knew from a young age that he was created to rule. He dreamt about it… but he wasn’t ready.

Before we inherit His promises, we must fully surrender to His process.

Joseph was harmed by his brothers, thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, falsely accused, imprisoned, and forgotten.

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” (Genesis 50:20, ESV)

Everything in your life is Father-filtered.

It all has a purpose. That purpose is refinement.

Trust God with the process. Don’t fight it—surrender to it.

You cannot shorten the process, but you can prolong it.

What the enemy meant for evil, God is using for your good and His glory.

4. Paul reminds us that we are each CALLED STAND READY

“In his quiver he hid me away.”

God had a divine purpose for Paul.

“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, after fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them and sent them off. (Acts 13:2–3, ESV)

Later, Paul would write:

“I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:12–16, ESV)

It doesn’t matter how your story begins—He is the one who writes the ending.

God can take the worst parts of your story and use them for His glory.

Fathers, Brothers—You Were Made for This Hour.

• Lead and speak truth.

• Hide yourself in Him.

• Surrender to the process.

• Stand ready to be used.

Remember, You’re built differently.