What Will You Seek

God sent a message of courage to Jeremiah’s scribe, Baruch. He was feeling discouraged saying, “I am overwhelmed with trouble! Haven’t I had enough pain already? And now the LORD has added more! I am weary of my own sighing and can find no rest” (Jeremiah 45:3).

He was discouraged because he was seeking for himself great and mighty things, and when they didn’t turn out the way he wanted he had enough.

So the Lord said, “Baruch, this is what the LORD says: I will destroy this nation that I built. I will uproot what I planted. Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don’t do it! But don’t be discouraged. I will bring great disaster upon all these people, but I will protect you wherever you go” (Jeremiah 45:4-5).

While this is a strong message, it’s a message for those who enter some form of ministry. We’re caught up with the spirit of covetousness, seeing how other ministries prosper, and when ours doesn’t match up we’re ready to give up.

But God’s message is for us not to seek great things, but rather seek great things for God. The Apostle Paul said, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:23).

Our desire should be much higher than what we can achieve to impress mankind, rather it should be to impress God, which means to put whatever we want on the backburner and desire only to serve Him.

Jesus tells His disciples not to seek after the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogue, or the pleasant greetings of others. Instead He said, “He who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:11-12).

So what should we seek after? “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).