Don’t Do It!

Jeremiah 45

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The prophet Jeremiah gave a message to Baruch son of Neriah in the fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, after Baruch had written down everything Jeremiah had dictated to him. He said, 2 “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to you, Baruch: 3 You have said, ‘I am overwhelmed with trouble! Haven’t I had enough pain already? And now the Lord has added more! I am worn out from sighing and can find no rest.’  4 “Baruch, this is what the Lord says: ‘I will destroy this nation that I built. I will uproot what I planted. 5 Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don’t do it! I will bring great disaster upon all these people; but I will give you your life as a reward wherever you go. I, the Lord, have spoken!’” Jeremiah 45

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There are times I am in the Word in the early morning and a Scripture just screams- look here, this one needs your attention. 

This Scripture was screaming!

Baruch was Jeremiah’s scribe.  Occasionally Baruch was even his voice when Jeremiah was unable to be present.    Most of the city of Jerusalem’s inhabitants had been taken to Babylon.  But the remnant left in Jerusalem had decided Jeremiah’s prophecy against fleeing to Egypt was not worth heeding.  Jeremiah told them fleeing there would be trouble.  And boy, was he right!

Jeremiah and Baruch were forced against their will to go with them to Egypt.

Baruch was tired!  I can’t blame him.  

Fighting the good fight often makes one drained and weary.

Baruch complained, I am overwhelmed with trouble!  Haven’t I had enough pain?  

Have you ever been there?  Just done with the pain, trouble, and sorrow!  I certainly have.  

But then God said to Baruch, “Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don’t do it!” (vs.5a)

This is the verse that hit me right between the eyes.  

Sometimes when we are overwhelmed it is because we are seeking the wrong thing.  We are seeking the things that bring us ease, happiness, and comfort.  We are seeking the things that make us great.  

Not the things that make God great.

Sometimes our complaining is just a way of saying – all these hardships are NOT COMFORTABLE.  I want to sit back and rest a bit.  I want my way, God, not yours!  

Here is what I was reminded of today.  

My life here is to make more of Jesus.  

My life here is not my own. 

 Jesus said, “if you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.” (Matthew 16:25).   

So, here is where I need to learn to pivot away from self and towards God.  If I am seeking to make my life great, I need to abandon that effort. 

 Like God told Baruch, “Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don’t do it!” (vs.5a)

He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

John 3:30