- The word that Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Baruch the son of Neriah, when he wrote these words in a book at the dictation of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah: 2 “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, to you, O Baruch: Jeremiah 45:1-2 – Baruch was the scribe Jeremiah used for most, if not all, of his writing down of the prophecies the Lord gave him. Baruch was used to writing down the hard words of the Lord to the people of Judah, for that is much of the book of Jeremiah. What Baruch likely wasn’t expecting was to begin writing words of the Lord meant specifically for Baruch himself. We too can get used to telling others the words of the Lord. We can tell them all about the ways God loves them and even tell them all about how their sins are wrong. Yet when the word of the Lord is instead directed at us, it’s not so easy to accept. We don’t like to hear that we are in the wrong with sin and that we need to take the proper steps away from our sin. We may struggle to accept the truth that we are loved by God and wanted by Him. Yes, that works for other people, but when said to us about us, it not so easy to embrace. Like in Baruch’s situation, know the Lord is going to use you to proclaim His words to others. Just know the Lord will also use you to proclaim His words to yourself as well. His words are for the wayward sinner, that brother in Christ at church, and even the person sitting in the seat you’re sitting in right now (you). Be willing to share God’s words with others but also be willing to share it to yourself. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3275
- 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 45:5 – Jeremiah is speaking to Baruch, the one writing down on paper all that Jeremiah is saying. Baruch must have been under the impression that serving Jeremiah like this would gather fame for himself and an exemption from the disasters God was bringing. Jeremiah corrected Baruch’s wrong assumptions. We too need to remember that just because we serve God that doesn’t mean we’ll be exempt from struggle and pain in this life. We’ll feel the consequences of other people’s wrong choices and even feel the pain of our own stupid mistakes. God though, as in this passage, promises us life through and after all this. That’s the prize. Make sure then your service to God isn’t about getting a name for yourself or trying to get out of struggle. That’s not why we serve. That’s not why we follow. Our reward is a life we didn’t even earn. Settle in that and find the peace you need in the struggles. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 964
- Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, to you, O Baruch: 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.’ Jeremiah 45:2-3 – A reminder, Baruch was the one writing down all the words that Jeremiah was speaking. Baruch was Jeremiah’s scribe and we learn he also was one of the few that responded faithfully to God as a result of the ministry of Jeremiah. We see Baruch making a common complaint new followers of God make…”I thought turning to God would make my life easy! Why is it still so filled with problems?” It’s easy for new, and even veteran, followers of God to be discouraged when our life with God doesn’t hold up to the expectations we had for it. Does that mean God is failing us? Or like Baruch are we putting expectations on God that counter the promises He made? God says life isn’t going to be easy and trouble will come even to the most faithful. Our promise is Heaven and until then we are remaining in a sinful world carrying out His mission of hope. Things won’t be easy for the follower of Jesus, but they will be worth it in the end. Seeing your loved ones turn to Jesus or your friends finding their value in Jesus or your neighbor breaking their addiction because of Jesus, that makes the struggles of today worth it. So don’t expect today’s pursuit of Jesus to be free of struggle, but expect it to be full of purpose. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2177
Daily DEVO 