“And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them…” (Jer 45:5).
These are the Lord’s own words through Jeremiah to Baruch. It was a bad time to seek anything of permanent value in a land soon to be ravaged by the Babylonians. The same of our doomed world: everything around us is pre-dust.
But don’t misunderstand the Lord’s words here. Yes, we should seek great things, but not things for ourselves. Jeremiah’s Lord would say, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Mt 6:33). We are often too easily pleased. God built us to inherit the universe, to rule His kingdom, to be His intimate companions. What does this world have by comparison? Nothing! Yet the path to greatness is by way of humility. And what is true humility? Charles Spurgeon wrote: “Humility is the proper estimate of oneself.” Then, Lord, help us today to humble ourselves in Your sight but to seek great things for Your glory.