Jeremiah 45-48, Psalm 134
Jeremiah 45:4-5 (NLT)
“Baruch, this is what the Lord says: ‘I will destroy this nation that I built. I will uproot what I planted. 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!’”
In Jeremiah 45:4–5, the prophet Jeremiah gave a message to Baruch ben Neriah, who had written down everything Jeremiah said. Baruch was a long-time, trusted associate of Jeremiah, and they were both taken to Egypt against their will. Baruch suffered for his faithfulness to the Lord and to Jeremiah.
Father-God knew that Baruch felt the Lord had not blessed or protected him as he had hoped, and that he was filled with foreboding about the future. The Lord reminded Baruch about His power and authority over the nation of Israel. Father-God knew that Baruch had sought great things for himself, but warned him not to be overly concerned with personal ambition, especially during this time of trouble for the nation. The Lord promised Baruch that he would be rewarded for his obedience in serving Jeremiah and remaining aligned with the Lord’s plans.
Seeking fulfillment in fame and popularity instead of aligning ourselves with the Lord will only bring destruction and judgment. Remaining faithful to the Lord will bring true fulfillment because Father-God rewards those who are faithful to Him both in this life and after death.
These verses remind believers that the Lord cares for them and knows what they feel and are concerned about. Father-God loved Baruch so much that He gave Jeremiah a message specifically to address Baruch’s concerns and fears about the future. The Lord’s message through Jeremiah tells us that we must always align ourselves with His will. Trying to find fulfillment through self-ambition alone will ultimately lead to destruction.
Believers who truly want to align themselves with the Lord’s will cannot make future plans without considering what the Lord’s plans may be. In Baruch’s case, he was trying to pursue personal ambitions during a time when the nation was facing exile to Babylon. The Lord promises rewards to those who faithfully serve Him, but in His timing, not their own timing. The Lord remained faithful to Baruch, preserving his life and protecting him from exile in Babylon.
I like these verses because they tell me that the Lord hears the concerns and fears of His people and answers them. We may not have a prophet like Jeremiah to give us a direct word from the Lord, but Father-God can still guide us through the Holy Spirit or through people in our lives.
These verses also remind me that the Lord is faithful to those who serve and believe in Him, and that He protects His people. The world encourages people to become obsessed with personal ambition and self-advancement, but if we make plans for our lives without aligning ourselves with the Lord’s will, the results will not be good.
I know that when I have sought guidance from the Holy Spirit about whether my plans were aligned with the Lord’s will, the guidance I received was always right. It might not have seemed so at the time, but in hindsight, the guidance of the Holy Spirit has consistently led me down roads that were not filled with heartache. When I tried to push my own plans without alignment with the Lord’s will, I faced opposition and went down paths filled with obstacles that often led to disappointing results.
If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who cares for His people and answers their concerns—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.
Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.
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