JEREMIAH 45:5

"Should you then seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them. For I will bring disaster on all people, declares the Lord, but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life."

TO PONDER

It’s pretty clear. Don’t seek great things for yourself. Yet we do, and the world tells us to, and the lotteries tell us how much we can spend if we win, and the consensus of the community tells us to look out for number one (me), and the media says we can just do what we feel is right. 

Our reading above is near the end of the book of Jeremiah, where he hung around with his people for years and years, even though they were warned to stop worshipping the wrong gods or else destruction would occur. 

So it’s a warning from God, and the warning still applies today. A warning, then the consequences…and yet, an element of grace attached to the verse…but you’ll escape with your life. 

Destruction did occur to the chosen people, but they continued to live. And while living takes place, God’s work takes place. 

Whatever you’re involved with, wherever you live, whatever you’re doing, whoever you hang around with, God reminds us he’s at work.           

What an amazing God we have, that gives us a chance on a chance, or grace upon grace.   

PRAYER: Ruler of all, forgive us when we think we are better than others, when greatness becomes more important than you. Give us humble hearts to serve where you have led us. Amen 

Today's devotion written by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping