Great expectations? - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2024

And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them.
Jeremiah 45:5

Great expectations?
Today’s Bible verse was addressed by the prophet Jeremiah to Baruch, who was faithful to God. He had supported Jeremiah when he was opposed by his peers. Baruch had also written the prophet’s words on a scroll. But the king had rejected these divine communications and burned the scroll. This opposition struck Baruch deeply. Disappointed, he exclaimed, “Woe is me now! For the Lord has added grief to my sorrow” (Jeremiah 45:3).

Are we also discouraged and disappointed? Why might this be so? Perhaps the reason is that we have expected something better. Possibly we have hoped for great things for ourselves. As believers, we do not usually expect prestige in this godless world. But perhaps we have a secret desire to become great among God’s people.

The disciples fell into this trap: they wondered who was the greatest among them. To correct them, the Lord placed a little child beside Him and declared, “He who is least among you all will be great” (Luke 9:46–48). But they forgot this lesson very quickly. A little later, another dispute arose among them as to which of them was to be considered the greatest. This time the Lord Jesus pointed out His humility to the disciples: whoever would follow Him should humbly serve others, as He, the Master, exemplified (Luke 22:24–27).

Today’s reading: 1 Samuel 14:24-35 · Psalms 99:1-9