I please Almighty God to bless
us together this evening as we meditate in His Holy Word. Let's
turn to the prophecy of Jeremiah, chapter 45, and we'll read verse
5. Prophecy of Jeremiah, chapter
45, and verse 5. Seekest thou great things for
thyself? Seek them not. For behold, I
will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the Lord, but thy life
will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest. the Lord was speaking here through
the prophet Jeremiah to Barak. And you may remember that in
an earlier chapter, chapter 36, we have an account where Jeremiah
dictated a long letter to the king and Barak was the scribe
who wrote it out they took it to the king and they told him
what was in it first and then he said he wanted to read it
and he took it and cut the sheets out and threw them in the fire
so that they would not be read well they were the word of God
that God had given to Jeremiah to dictate to Barak and to present
to the king But nonetheless we're told in that chapter that in
actual fact what happened was that then Jeremiah was told to
go and to call Barak and to come to him and that he would dictate
again. And we're told in the last verse
of chapter 36, then took Jeremiah another role. and gave it to
Beirat the scribe, the son of Neriah, who wrote therein from
the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim,
king of Judah, had burned in the fire. And there were added
beside them many like words." So you see how the king Jehoiakim
thought he could destroy the words and they would be lost
and burnt in the fire but God had different ideas and God used
Barak the scribe again to write the words that Jeremiah was given
from God and also on this occasion we're told and there were added
beside them many like words. Well here we have then this address
to Barak And we may wonder why was such a statement made to
Beirak? Well, we must realise that Beirak
was no different to what we are today. And as we read together
what God said to him, God said to Jeremiah, thus saith the Lord,
the God of Israel, unto thee, O Barak. Again, there was no
way of getting out of it and thinking, well, that isn't addressed
to me. It was very clearly addressed
to Barak. And it's important for us in
our little life to realize sometimes God speaks to us in a direct
way and not perhaps always in the way that we want but nonetheless
we can be sure if God speaks it'll be the best way for us
and it won't be the wrong way it'll be a good way and so we
read what was said and thou didst say woe is me now this is Barak
speaking God said, thou didst say, woe is me now, for the Lord
hath added grief to my sorrow. I fainted in my sighing, and
I find no rest. Well that may have been partly
in reference to the things that I've alluded to in that 36th
chapter, where that writing was burnt up, But then you see the
Lord says, Thus shalt thou say unto him, The Lord saith thus,
Behold, that which I have built will I break down, and that which
I have planted I will pluck up, even this whole land. We have
a God who is all-powerful and God knows exactly what he will
do, when he will do it, and how he will do it. And it's a great
blessing for you and me to be submissive to God's will. And we can be submissive because
as the Apostle Paul so beautifully said, and we know that all things
work together for good to those who love God, those who are called
according to his purpose. Because God knows what is good
for you and me. God knows what we will need. We don't know. We're travelling
through a world, a very difficult world and we don't know what
we need but we can be sure the Lord will provide for us all
that we need. Not all that we think perhaps
we need, they're very different things. Sometimes in our little
life we plan out what we think we need and we think we may have
good reasons for those plans and we think they may be logical
and we think they may be good and right and not really covetous
but we should remember that God knows the end from the beginning
and we don't and that's a mercy and that should be a wonderful
and a glorious comfort to us and so here these words go on
which Jeremiah is speaking to Barak and of course really speaking
to the Church of God when he comes and says, And seekest thou
great things for thyself, seek them not. For behold, I will
bring evil upon all flesh, saith the Lord, but thy life will I
give unto thee. for a prey in all places whither
thou goest. Bayrat was commanded not to seek
great things for himself. But we're not told that he wouldn't
receive great things. You see God can give great things. God can do great things. But
the great issue here is not to do them so that we might consume
them upon our lusts, which the Word of God speaks about. You
see, we are to do God's will. We're here on this earth for
God's honour and glory. And we shouldn't therefore be
thinking about our honour and glory. God can raise up people. God's raised up kings before
now from virtually nothing. Those who will bless indeed. God knows what he will do. And God knows how his name will
be honoured and glorified. And what a blessing therefore
if you and I understand that the whole word of God is for
our instruction. and for our teaching. It's very
easy to pass over a word like this and think well that was
okay, he was speaking to Barak and it has no reference to ourselves. We should always take the Word
of God as though it is addressed to each one of us personally
and therefore be desirous to do those things which are in
accordance with the Word of God. You see the Bible tells us the
Lord gave and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of
the Lord. See, our God reigns. How can we fail to realise the
greatness of God? And that applies to natural,
providential things. It also applies to spiritual
things. And sometimes we may be praying
for spiritual blessings And there's nothing wrong in that, in actual
fact, of course, it's a great favour to be found in that attitude. But if we are praying for that,
we have to look at the end and the end result. And the end result,
if God hears such prayers, is not that you and I can claim
glory ourselves. We won't be able to say, well,
I, of course, prayed for that. That's why we have the blessing.
And we'll claim then. by such an attitude of glory
for ourselves. No, God is a jealous God. And God will have the honour
and the glory. So therefore, as we see a word
like this, and seekest thou great things for thyself, seek them
not, doesn't mean that God is not going to do great things.
But when the God does great things, then what's the result? we haven't
sorted ourselves we shall praise God for it because he has been
merciful and he has been gracious. See the heart is deceitful above
all things and desperately wicked and it's very difficult for us
to analyse our hearts, to analyse exactly what our desires are
and whether they are God honouring or whether they are self honouring. We need a right attitude, we
need right desires, indeed we need God-given desires, pure
desires. so that we commit our way unto
the Lord and trust also in him that he will bring it to pass. We read together that sixth chapter
in Matthew, because as we came towards the end of that chapter,
it gave some very wonderful instruction for us. And remember, that was
a sermon preached in the early days of the Lord's ministry,
and yet there was the multitude there to hear those wonderful
words that the Lord spoke. And he says to us, which of you
by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature. And why
take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field,
how they grow. They toil not, neither do they
spin. And yet I say unto you, that
even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. He goes on, wherefore, if God
so clothe, the grass of the field, which today is and tomorrow is
cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye
of little faith? And then he changes and says,
Therefore take no thought what ye shall eat, or what we shall
drink, or wherewithal shall we be clothed. for after all these
things do the Gentiles seek for your heavenly Father knoweth
that ye have need of all these things so he lays before us very
clearly our natural position our natural needs and then he
comes really on to the great issue in the last couple of verses
he says but seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness
and all these things shall be added unto you. All those necessary
things that we seek after will be added unto us. But what a
blessing if God gives us that desire after heavenly things
far above the earthly things which perish with the using.
and yet the things of God are eternal the blessings of God
are eternal and therefore he winds up by saying take therefore
no thought for the morrow for the morrow shall take thought
for the things of itself sufficient until the day is the evil thereof. Well, how gracious it was of
our Saviour to have such statements recorded as he spoke when he
was on the earth and the relevance of them today in which we live. You know, we are told in the
Word of God not to covet, but we are also told to cover earnestly
the best things. And of course the best things
are spiritual blessings. So we see the vast difference
because spiritual blessings will do us eternal good. Earthly blessings,
however good they may seem to be, will only last for a short
time and won't last any longer than our life anyway. whereas
the things of God, the blessings of God are eternal blessings. What a mercy therefore to be
given a right attitude and a right desire to seek after Christ and
his beauty and his knowledge Indeed the hymn writer says,
to know my Jesus crucified by far excels all things beside
him. You may think, well the hymn
writer was exaggerating a bit there. Well he wasn't in actual
fact, because it does excel all the things of this vain world
and yet you know we're poor sinful human beings and by nature we
spend a lot of time don't we seeking after natural things
which perish with the using and yet the reality is regard to
our God, thou remainest, God always will be, and what a blessing
it is therefore to be found seeking after those eternal favours,
those treasures in heaven. And that really means to know
the Lord Jesus Christ more and more. We are encouraged to lay
up treasure in heaven. Oh my friends how hard it is
for our old nature which cleaves to the poor things of time and
puts a higher value on them but in reality they're worthless
by comparison with eternal blessings. So what a great mercy it is for
us tonight as we see these words addressed to Beorak and we might
think well strange why was this recorded why was Beorak instructed
like this? Well he was instructed and what
a mercy as we see the relevance of it in our lives and are able
therefore to be blessed with those heavenly desires to not
seek those great things of time but those things which are spiritual
and those things which will be indeed wonderful blessing for
us. Now the Word of God, therefore,
on the other hand, encourages us to be humble, not to be proud. It's very easy to be proud, proud
of our attainments, proud of our possessions and yet you see
in one sense they are of little value in comparison with those
eternal blessings and so what a mercy it is if God gives us
that ability to come as James tells us in his little epistle
and in the fourth chapter and the tenth verse he tells us this
humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord. That means to be
low in our own opinion, not to be haughty or high in our opinion. Humble yourselves in the sight
of God, and He shall lift you up. You see, the Lord blesses
in His time and in His way, and that is in such a way, a perfect
way, which brings honour and glory to our God. So may we recognise
the relevance of such a statement as that. Humble yourselves in
the sight of the Lord. See, God looks at us. God knows
our attitudes. Other people don't know, do they?
But God does. And what a wonderful time of
instruction it is. And then the Apostle Peter, also
speaks very similar truths in his first epistle and the fifth
chapter and he tells us this in the sixth verse humble yourselves
therefore under the mighty hand of God that he may exhort you
in due time as a due time you see when God encourages us and
lifts us up and it's a time when we will be in that right attitude
to really desire to praise God for what he's done. Not for what
we've done, not for the skill of our prayers but for his loving
kindness and for his mercy toward us. So humble yourselves therefore
under the mighty hand of God and the previous verse tells
us, yea, all of you be subject one to another and be clothed
with humility. For God resisteth the proud and
giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under
the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time,
casting all your care upon him. for he careth for you. And then he tells us, be sober,
be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,
walketh about seeking whom he may devour, whom resist steadfast
in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions and are accomplished
in your brethren that are in the world. And just one more
verse. But the God of all grace, the
God of all grace, hath called us unto his eternal glory by
Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while. You see, the
word of God tells us in so many ways that the path of a true
Christian is through tribulation and suffering. And so here we
have this statement here. But the God of all grace, who
has called us unto his eternal glory, by Christ Jesus. That's an amazing blessing, isn't
it? Isn't it wonderful? To be called unto his eternal
glory. What a wonderful prospect for
the Church of God. Far, far beyond all the poor
things of this world, which by nature we covet after. After that you have suffered
a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you. To Him
be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. I wonder how
often we have a real living desire to honour and glorify our God
for what He's done. It is good for us to remember
all the way the Lord has led us thus far throughout our life. And as we see, as David said,
surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my
life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Again, that was a humble confidence,
and it's good for us today to have a humble confidence in the
work of our God, in our spiritual life, to rejoice then in that
prospect of eternal happiness. And so, to be reminded, and seekest
thou great things for thyself, seek them not. Simple, isn't
it? It's not a difficult phrase,
is it? And it's good, therefore, to remember these words were
spoken to Barak, given an example of why perhaps it was given to
him but we don't really know and we don't know the relevance
in our own lives but it's in the Word of God and it's here
to instruct us and it's here to guide us and it's here to
direct us so it's good therefore if we can Be concerned therefore
that our lives may show forth the praise and the honour and
glory of Almighty God. When the Apostle wrote to his
son-in-the-faith Timothy, the two epistles as you well know,
and they were very wonderful letters written to instruct his
son the faith and there is good instruction for us today and
we have really following on from what I've just spoken about in
the sixth chapter of the first epistle we read this but godliness
with contentment is great gain for we brought nothing into this
world and it is certain that we can carry nothing out and
having food and raiment, let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall
into temptation and the snare, and into many foolish and hurtful
lusts, which drown men in distraction and perdition. And then he speaks
and there's words here which are often misquoted. For the
love of money is the root of all evil. People often say that
money is the root of all evil. Well, it's the love of money
which is the root of all evil. Which while some coveted after,
they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through
with many sorrows. then he gives the alternative,
but thou, O man of God, flee these things and follow after
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness, fight
in a good fight of faith, Christian life is a battle. Don't forget
that. It's a battle. Fight the good
fight of faith. Lay hold on eternal life. whereunto
thou also called and hast professed a good profession before many
witnesses.' Well he of course is writing there to Timothy who
had professed a good confession before many witnesses and it's
good if by God's grace we've been able to make a good confession
before many witnesses again for his honour and for his glory. So we see really how the Word
of God works together, what a mercy it is, and to recognise the relevance
of all these things, how important they are to encourage us in the
day and age in which we live. These things are written many
years ago and yet God has seen fit to ordain they are the Word
of God, they are the Bible, and they're there for our instruction,
instruction therefore may we be thankful for it. Remember the Apostle Paul wrote
to the church at Philippi and they were good words that the
Apostle wrote and he tells us this in the fourth chapter, the
last chapter, towards the end of those things. Those things
which ye have both learned and received and heard and seen in
me do, and the God of peace shall be with you. He's speaking to
the church of Philippi which of course was a blessed church
and he's instructing them and he says, but I rejoiced in the
Lord greatly, but now at the last, your care of me hath flourished
again, wherein you were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of
want, this is what the Apostle says, for I have learned, in
whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Then he expounds
it, he says, I know both how to be abased and I know how to
abound. Everywhere and in all things
I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry. both to abound
and to suffer need. And then he tells us this wonderful
verse, I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me. and how true that is and how
wonderful it is to know it's as true today as it was when
the Apostle wrote it. And he moves on and he comes
down and he tells us, but I have awe and abound, I am full having
received the Epaphroditus, the things which were sent from you,
an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to
God. And then he comes to this verse,
but my God. Wonderful, isn't it? But my God. Not someone else's God, but my
God. What a mercy for us tonight.
If you and I can stand shoulder to shoulder with the Apostle
Paul and by his grace be able to say, but my God shall supply
all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. You see, God will supply all
our need. Nothing will fail. Not the things that we think
we need, but the things which we do need. That's what God will
supply. And the apostle proved it, didn't
he? in his life and he had so much opposition and so many things
against him and he tells us, he gives us a few details in
the third chapter and he tells us, yea doubtless or before that
in the previous verse but what things were gained to me those
I counted loss for Christ yea doubtless and I count all things
but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus
my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things. And do
countenance but done, that I may win Christ, and be found in him,
not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that
which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which
is of God by faith. Well, there's a wonderful analogy
there, isn't there? And what a glorious thing, therefore,
if God gives us that grace to seek after these things. And
he comes and he says then, that I may know him. Well, the apostle
did know the Savior. Of course he did. He wanted to
know him more. That I may know him. and the
power of his resurrection. The resurrection power which
lifts us up above the poor things of this world which drag us down.
Resurrection power and the fellowship of his sufferings being made
conformable unto his death. The temptation is, that was the
apostle's desire to have fellowship with his sufferings. The temptation
is, in our lives, to think, well, I wouldn't dare pray for that.
That would bring me into no end of trouble. And to have this
blessing of fellowship of his sufferings. Well, my friends,
I can tell you from personal experience, it doesn't always
follow what we expect. But what a blessing if we prove
the truth of it. The Lord leads us into situations
where we can understand in some small way what Christ suffered. It's an amazing blessing. It's
a wonderful favour. It's a place that we should seek
for because it is a place which brings us to Christ. Fellowship
with his sufferings, being made conformable, unto his death,
and then he says, if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection
of the dead. Well, the Apostle Paul had right
values, didn't he? He knew what was needful, he
knew what was a spiritual blessing, he knew how wonderful it was,
because he'd been wonderfully blessed by God and here he's
able to declare to the Philippians the reality of these things. Yes, and then he goes on to say,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of
God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as
be perfect, be thus minded, and if in any thing ye be otherwise
minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Brethren, be followers
together of me." That means his spiritual life. and mark them
which walk, so as she have us for an example.' Oh my Prince,
glorious truth isn't it? Wonderful to be able to meditate
on these things. And then we see the reality of
such a word as this, tucked away in the middle of Jeremiah, a
place which we don't often refer to and yet a place full really
of gracious and good instruction. And seekest thou, you see it
comes personally, it was directed to Barak as an individual, and
seekest thou, and it can come to us as individuals, and seekest
thou great things for thyself, seek them not. For behold, I
will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the Lord, but thy life
will I give unto thee for a prey. in all places whither thou goest. The clear view is here that God
will be with his church, with his people, guide them safely
through life and bring them at last to their heavenly home in
glory. And thy life will I give unto
thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest. I often say,
as you know, it's wonderful to have positive statements in the
Word of God, the great truth of God himself, recording these
things for your and my encouragement, so we can go on our way rejoicing
to believe that in the days of Jeremiah, which he had much opposition,
and he was blessed with these words from God to Relay, in this
case, to Barak and to others. He wasn't afraid to speak the
truth of God. He wasn't afraid to declare the
whole counsel of God. He wasn't afraid to, the fear
of man didn't bring a snare to him. It may do to us, and if
it does, may God deliver us from it, and may we be as light shining
in a dark world. Remember, God gives us that light
and we're not to hide that light. As he tells us in that Sermon
on the Mount, which we read part of, we're not to hide it under
a bed. It's to be displayed so that
people may see that by the grace of God, we have been with Jesus
and have learned of him. Yes, may our light shine, that
light which God has put within us, may it shine, shine brightly
and may men and women, boys and girls be drawn by it when they
see the blessing of God in us, not that we've done ourselves
but that which God has done for us, so that his name may really
be honoured and glorified. Well, may God bless these few
remarks tonight and encourage us as we read such statements,
and seekest thou great things for thyself, seek them not. For behold, I will bring even
upon all flesh, saith the Lord, but thy life will I give unto
thee for a prey in all places, whither thou goest. Amen.