-Strength for Today- "The Assurance We Have in Trusting the Lord." - Jeremiah 45:5

   If the future feels uncertain right now, and worry keeps occupying too much room:

·       In your heart, and

·       In your mind,

    Remember this, God is already in all of our tomorrows. He knows our way, and He has a plan. And we can be assured it's always the best one for us.  Just remember that “faithfulness has its own reward”.  In this verse Jeremiah reminds Baruch that his calling is to be a:

·       Dependent, and

·       Faithful

    Servant for the Lord. To this Jeremiah asked of Him, “…do you seek great things for yourself?” Then he gives him the purposeful command of God, “Seek them not;” then he relays God’s promise of faith to him saying, “…for behold, I am bringing evil upon all flesh, says the Lord; but I will give you your life as a prize of war in all places to which you may go” –Jeremiah 45:5 RSV

    This is the firm and immovable secret of the Lord to those who trust Him– “I will give you your life….” What more does a man want than his life? It’s the essential thing. “…your life…as a prize…” means that wherever you may go, even if it’s into hell, you’ll come out with your life and nothing can harm it. Too many of us are caught up in exhibiting things for others to see. But all these things that we so proudly “show-off” will perish. But there’s something greater that can never go, and that’s “…your life which, “is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3)

    With this mindset, are you prepared to let God take you into total oneness with Himself, whereas you’re not focusing on “being successful?” The true test is to focus on that which is pleasing to the Lord. Because the moment you do you show that you’re surrendering to Him, and are refusing to allow “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” guide your path. And If you totally abandon yourself to God, He immediately says to you, “I will give your life to you as a prize….”

    The reason people are tired of life is that they feel that God hasn’t given them anything. They look at others with a mindset of “favoritism.” However, the way to get out of that condition is to “abandon” yourself to God. And once you get to the point of “total surrender”, you’ll be the most:

·       Surprised and

·       Delighted

     Person on earth! God will have you “absolutely”, without any “limitations”. Now If you aren’t there, it’s either because of

·       Disobedience, or

·       Your refusal

    To “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” - Proverbs 3:5. God never asks us to figure it all out on our own. He just asks us to trust Him, to recognize:

·       His leadership and

·       His Sovereignty

    In our lives, and He promises to make our pathways straight.

Author: Plez Lovelady, Jr., PhD