A Hard Word

You've served, you've held your integrity, your hands have worked hard at whatever they've found to do. But you're going through it. No, you're not perfect; nobody is. But even though you've been found faithful to your God, you may be asking, "Why do I still find myself in the middle of it?" In this, God has a word for his hard-pressed children, for those faithful saints who find themselves in difficulty.

Baruch, Jeremiah's faithful servant and scribe, found himself in a place of hopelessness needing a word from God. He had not only served God's prophet faithfully, he had also suffered with his master. And so, he lamented over his pain. To him, it looked as if God had added a topping of sorrow to his pain and suffering.¹

Maybe you've felt that way. Hopelessness mixed with a tinge of self-pity? A tad of drama stirred in with your assessment of the situation? Words like, "I am worn out from all of my groaning," or, "I can't get any rest!" These thoughts and feelings settle on the best of us at times - even the mature among us who have years under their belt.

But God is faithful to speak to his servants, and God's word came to Baruch, and God's word is there for us as well. In Baruch's case, and in our lives at times as well, the word needed was a hard word, an awakening word, a kind word with a promise. God tells Baruch through Jeremiah the prophet, that he wasn't going to change his plans because Baruch was having a bad day. God, in his wisdom, would continue to carry out his sovereign plan - even though it would have an adverse effect on Baruch.

Baruch, like us, needed to gain a stronger sense of the truth that it wasn't all about him. Ouch. Hard, I know.

Are you looking for great things for yourself? Is your focus on your future or your prosperity or comfort or promotion? Blessing comes from God, but there are seasons where our comfort must take a backseat against the background of God's good plans. And when we feel like Baruch, where we desire great things for ourselves and that desire falls through and sets us in a bad place, God's strong and clear words to Baruch will help us,

"Do not look for such things."²

We do well to face our adversity with God's interests in mind, not our own. Sometimes our hopes, plans, and dreams are disappointed or go missing, but God's way is best.

The Lord ends his words to Baruch with a promise -

"For I will bring disaster on all people, declares the Lord, but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life."³

What is held in high importance here is the gift of life. What a treasure. To wake up in the morning and be able to draw in breath. To feel the warmth of God's provision in the sun on your face. To see another day before us where we can enjoy the company of those we love. To be given another opportunity live out our life for him.

His mercies are new every morning and if it were not for his unfailing love, we'd be without what really matters, for his love is better than life.⁴

The Lord disciplines those he loves and accepts. His words, even though hard and difficult to hear at times, are always spoken in kindness, never to discourage, bringing us exactly what we need. So, if today, these words resonate with you, consider them a gift from your Father. He is calling you up higher.

References

¹ This story can be found in Jeremiah 45, a short but impactful chapter.

² Jeremiah 45:5a - Should you then seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them.

³ Jeremiah 45:5b

⁴ Lamentations 3:22-23 - Because of the Lord ’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.