Personally Acquainted!
The book of Jeremiah is not arranged entirely in chronological order. Chapter 44 brought us to a time after Jerusalem's fall, while today's reading takes us back to an earlier time that connects with Jeremiah 36. In this short chapter, the Lord gives a word specifically to Baruch.
Remember Jeremiah 36. In the face of opposition, Baruch faithfully carried out what the Lord had given Jeremiah to do. As Jeremiah's scribe, Baruch witnessed much of the hardship and rejection Jeremiah endured. But Baruch was struggling too. He was overwhelmed with grief, and somewhere in the midst of his faithful service, his heart had also begun seeking "great things" for himself.
So the Lord spoke directly to him:
"You said, "Woe is me now! For the LORD has added grief to my sorrow. I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest."
"And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them" Jeremiah 45:3, 5
Nothing escapes the Lord's attention. He heard Baruch's words. He saw his faithful service. He knew his sorrow, and He also knew the desires of his heart. In a loving and corrective moment, God gave a word specifically to him.
What a beautiful reminder for us.
The Lord sees what we do. He hears what we say. He knows our struggles, motives, desires, and thoughts. Nothing about us is overlooked or unnoticed by Him.
That truth can be convicting, but it can also be incredibly comforting. Even in difficult seasons, when no one else understands what is happening within us, the Lord does.
We won't always get it right. Our motives may need correcting, and our desires may need redirecting. But as we seek Him, we can rest in knowing that He sees us, knows us completely, lovingly corrects us, and remains near.
Be comforted by His closeness.
-To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.