A Discouraging Word

SCRIPTURE: Jer. 45:1-5
This is what Jeremiah the prophet told Baruch son of Neriah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, after Baruch had written on a scroll the words Jeremiah was then dictating: “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to you, Baruch: You said, ‘Woe to me! The LORD has added sorrow to my pain; I am worn out with groaning and find no rest.’”

The LORD said, “Say this to him: ‘This is what the LORD says: I will overthrow what I have built and uproot what I have planted, throughout the land. Should you then seek great things for yourself? Seek them not. For I will bring disaster on all people, declares the LORD, but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.’”

OBSERVATION: This would not be a great word to get from the Lord. We are not told exactly what Baruch is struggling with. From the response he gets from God, I think that maybe after hearing about all the terrible judgments the Lord was going to bring upon Israel, maybe he was feeling like he was going to have to suffer unfairly by losing his property and perhaps going into exile along with those whose disobedience had brought all this about. It's easy when the sin of others affects a person who has not sinned for them to feel "put upon".

APPLICATION: The word of the Lord to Baruch should be a lesson to me. God owes me nothing. He has been incredibly gracious to forgive all my sin and give me a way to be with Him in heaven forever. Anything good beyond that is icing on the cake, but certainly not something God is required to do for me. I need to be grateful to God for everything He gives me and not resent anything that He does not.

PRAYER: Father, I am grateful for the gift of everlasting life. You died for me and have given me everything I need for life and godliness. May I never be demanding of Your grace. In Jesus' Name, Amen.