In Difficult Days Humility Is Always Correct And Is The Only Thing That Will Preserve Me From Judgment

From: October 13 – 19, 2009

TOPIC: “In Difficult Days Humility Is Always Correct And Is The Only Thing That Will Preserve Me From Judgment” Jeremiah 45:1-5 Jeremiah was the prophet who was prohibited to enter the temple, therefore, Baruch, his scribe, had to write and read this prophecy before the princes of Israel. Since Jeremiah was being pursued because of his prophecies regarding God’s judgment, he could not be tormented by pride. But Baruch would be tempted to occupy now the place of spokesman for the king and the princes of all Israel. Baruch began to fear a great deal due to all that he was living. The persecution of the Jewish people began, but Jeremiah was able to overcome the groaning and pain he went through while continuing to walk and gaining strength with everything he had to live with confidence in God. Fear and terror are proper to those who have a downfall which was what happened to Baruch, he was terrorized. Jeremiah had communion with God and this is what strengthened him. The more communion we have with God, the more our confidence and stability will grow. Baruch was a youngster who had not experienced so many difficult circumstances like the ones Jeremiah had faced, therefore fear overcame him. Sometimes, to occupy a position among the people is a great deal and this seemed to torment Baruch. We are always thinking about ourselves. Baruch was close to the prophet Jeremiah to write and this was a privilege, but he did not think about the danger that was approaching because of who he was. We are never prepared for the dangers we are exposed to. Baruch was going to be with the princes of the king and sought to convince that kingdom with the word he brought them, but for Jerusalem the days were numbered for destruction because they had not repented. Baruch never thought he would have to run and hide from everything that was becoming a wonder for him. The humble react to fix and do things well. Although the town fasted there was not a true repentance. They did not want God and His advice but rather they put Him aside. Baruch was expecting congratulations and applauses for what he was doing, but that never happened; God does not work this way. When there is not a true repentance there is no growth. Baruch thought that everything that he was doing was going to be accepted by the king and all the others. What changes God’s thoughts to not send judgment is the repentance of a nation; it is not the prophet, the preacher or the pastor. Therefore, Baruch’s life was in an imminent danger, and because of the dangers there is terror. When God is working with judgment it is best to hide in the humiliation, because what pleases God is a contrite and humiliated heart, but an arrogant heart keeps God away.

In many occasions our lives are faced with danger. In the beginning, Baruch did not know what to expect. Nowadays, as Christians, we are also exposed to great dangers. It is not glory of men what we should seek but to know to suffer for the name of God. Baruch was frustrated because every high position he desired was overthrown. When Baruch realized he was exposed to contempt and to danger he said: "Woe to me!" It was that youth that thought he had reached a position before the king and the princes of the synagogue who now feared to be treated like a criminal. He complained because this became a burden that was too heavy and that is depressing. If we see it this way, there is no rest for our soul. On the other hand, we should be confident that it is God who works in us. There was no rest for Baruch and Jeremiah although it seemed that way. But, in spite of all that persecution it was a privilege to suffer for a worthy cause. We should not escape from what we have to suffer. Jehovah spoke because He knew Baruch’s intentions, because he longed excessively the good things of the present life. We should not live always seeking for everyone to love us. Whenever difficult circumstances come along, we become disturbed and it is because we’re always expecting the good things in life. Living like this steals our patience to remain stable. God showed Baruch that it was foolish for him to desire the wealth of this world. God was destroying with judgment what He had built in Israel and Baruch without understanding was seeking riches for himself. God uses fragile vessels to show His greatness. Because there will always be a stinger to torment us to show us how useless we are. Baruch expected honors and wealth in the midst of a town that had already fallen and was under divine judgment. When greatness is sought even those who are loved are destroyed. Baruch did not know that he was going to Egypt. Not everything would be happiness for him and he was going to be in danger, but Baruch’s life would be preserved by God Himself. On the Day of Judgment, the right feeling for Jeremiah was the absence of seeking his own wealth. In our bad days, humility is the only thing that will conserve us. Sometimes, the mind wanders and gives certainty to the false things that want to destroy us, but in the bad day the humility is always correct and is also the only thing that preserves us before the judgment. In the middle of the judgments that are executed throughout the world, the only thing that can preserve us is humility. It was time to learn the word of God thru the prophet’s mouth. Baruch sought greatness, but the only thing he was going to preserve was his life. Let us be simple and warned not to trip on that same stone; let us be humble and God will preserve us. Amen.