“Stop seeking great things.” Is what God has spoken to my soul lately. I have been working my way through the Old Testament one day at a time and recently I ran into a comment from God to Jeremiah’s scribe, Baruch, as a word of encouragement and exhortation to him:
“…But as for you, are you seeking great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I am going to bring calamity on all flesh,’ declares Yahweh, ‘but I will give your life to you as spoil in all the places where you may go.’”
Jeremiah 45:5 (LSB)
Baruch was a faithful scribe. Whatever Jeremiah needed, he was there to help. Even in the midst of great fear and danger (Jeremiah 36:19). However, Baruch seemed to be discontent with his title as simply: “scribe”. He wanted more. After years of seeing Jeremiah have such a connection with God, speaking great prophecies to the people, and receiving honor (or at least popularity), Baruch wanted to see what was next for him. Maybe he can be a prophet himself and have his own scribe. God saw this stirring in his heart and decided it was time to give him a word of exhortation to steer him straight.
God’s word was very simple: “Stop seeking great things for yourself and be content with the fact that I will give you life.” I believe God is speaking the same word to us right now. There are many “great things” we could seek after. A better position at work, an opportunity to be in front of a crowd, more money, higher status, deeper impact, etc. But the moment we turn our gaze off of Jesus onto these things is the moment we begin a dangerous backslide. Remember why Jesus came: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) And Jesus’s major rebuke to the church at Ephesus was that they forgot this chief thing (Revelation 2:4). They began seeking “great things” for themselves and leaving the life that Christ had promised them.
Action
Maybe you have been seeking “great things” for yourself. Take a close look at your passions and desires and ensure they are Christ centered and not self centered. Baruch was given the position that God wanted him to have. The same way God has placed you where He sees you best to be. Leave off seeking or thinking you belong elsewhere. Begin with thanking Him for the life that He has given you through Christ today. Then seek that life more. As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so continue to walk in Him. Rooted and built up in Him. Established in your faith as you have been taught. Abounding in this life with thanksgiving.
Jesus is coming back one day to judge the earth in perfect righteousness. The only thing that really matters is the question: Will He know you when He comes? If so, you have been given life and freedom. Stop seeking great things for yourself and rest in that life and freedom. If not, then you must believe in Him for that life and call upon His name for salvation and then continue to seek Him and abandon all to follow Him.
Respond
- Praise God for giving you life through Christ and giving His only Son to pay the price of salvation
- Ask God to open your eyes to any “great things” you have been seeking for yourself. Then rid yourself of them and follow after Him.
- Thank God for His abundant mercy and goodness and always putting us back on track.