Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Sometimes life is hard. Last week we took a look at Jeremiah 15. In that passage, Jeremiah complains at God for how difficult his life was due to following God’s calling upon him. However, the book of Jeremiah isn’t entirely about Jeremiah. Jeremiah may have delivered the messages, but his messages endure today due to his scribe, Baruch. Baruch is very quiet through the 52 chapters of Jeremiah, but in Chapter 45, he vents his frustration at God. Just as Jeremiah was rejected by his people, Baruch was as well. He was hated by his friends and family and called a liar for telling the truth. In Chapter 45, it all comes to a head and Baruch cries to God. Observe God’s response:
3 "You said, ‘Woe is me! For the Lord has added sorrow to my pain. I am weary with my groaning, and I find no rest.’ 4 Thus shall you say to him, Thus says the Lord: Behold, what I have built I am breaking down, and what I have planted I am plucking up – that is, the whole land. 5 And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not, for behold, I am bringing disaster upon all flesh, declares the Lord. But I will give you your life as a prize of war in all places to which you may go.”
– Jeremiah 45:3-5
Baruch’s life was actually very difficult and trying, there is no doubt about that. No one ought to envy his lot in life. But what does God say? He states “what I have built, I am breaking down.” Baruch is a very small part of an immense plan that God is working out. A plan that requires a little effort from Baruch, and immense effort and cost from God. In other words, God challenges Baruch to stop focusing on his little difficulties and focus on what God is doing. In fact, God, who reads hearts, challenges Baruch to stop selfishly seeking greatness. That’s what Baruch is actually upset about. In serving Jeremiah and God, his considerable scribal skills aren’t gaining him the fame and prestige he "deserves." And just like Jeremiah last week, if Baruch can adjust his focus, God promises that he will empower Baruch to endure. He doesn’t promise ease, he promises endurance and life.
Today, life can be hard. If your life is hard, hear these words. If your life is easy right now, store this message for when life is hard next time. When struggles hit, look to what God is doing. Even if we can’t see it, God has a massive plan and our joys and pains are a small part of what he’s doing. If we can shift our focus from ourselves and put our eyes on Christ, our life may not get easy, but in the end, he will give us what we need most: eternal life.
