Babs Sanya’s words of encouragement
Words of comfort to Baruch
Bible Passage
Baruch: 3 You have said, ‘I am overwhelmed with trouble! Haven’t I had enough pain already? And now the Lord has added more! I am worn out from sighing and can find no rest.’ Baruch: 3 You have said, ‘I am overwhelmed with trouble! Haven’t I had enough pain already? And now the Lord has added more! I am worn out from sighing and can find no rest.’ Jer45:3
Reflections
Baruch is one of those little heard of names in the bible; he was the scribe who recorded Jeremiah’s words on a scroll. You could almost imagine his state of mind as he penned down the prophets words. More trouble, more pain. To quote a Nigerian saying, more wahala !
Quite coincidentally prior to reading this passage, I had just opened a letter that had been overlooked for a few days, only to find it was a bill for some service charge; and a large one at that, so in reflection it was perhaps divine intervention that I had to come upon this passage. Because at that point in time I was not a very happy bunny!
Having read the first three verses, I began to wonder ‘where is the comfort in all this? It actually reminded me of the refiners fire; getting hotter so that all impurities in the precious metal is removed! Hot enough to purify; but not hot enough to destroy the metal. Life is like that as God works to clean us out for his (greater) purpose. In any case I persisted and read to the end of the chapter and thankfully Jerimiah:45 is only a small chapter. I read the final few verses in another translation (contemporary English version) and was pleasantly surprised to read the following verses
“You are moaning and blaming me, the LORD, for your troubles and sorrow, and for being so tired that you can’t even rest. …… However, I promise that wherever you go, I will at least protect you …..” (Contemporary English Version)
“But I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go” Jer 45:v5b. - KJV
God’s word came with comforting and assurance, a reminder perhaps of Is 50:4 ‘the Lord God has given me the tongue …… that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word`.
There are many weary people out there saved and unsaved alike. I also, sometimes feel weary and in need of being sustained with a word! So the words to Baruch; that in spite of the (added) misery and pain that was about to befall Israel, God still had Baruch on his mind. If God has Baruch on his mind, then he has me on his mind; and if he has me on his mind surely he has you, dear reader on his mind! Now that is a comforting word. His promise to Baruch (and us) when times are hard is that he will never leave us nor forsake us.
So if for you (like Baruch) times are rough and hard, perhaps you are under pressure (ok a great deal of pressure) and worrying about stuff. Remember that God knows (every minute detail) and more importantly; God cares! He is already working to make things better for you. Whilst it may not feel like it, trust God that this season of adversity and trial or travail will pass. Sooner than you think!
Have a great week.
Babs Sanya