Key Verse: "And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the Lord: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest."
- Jeremiah 45:5 KJV
Whatever schemes and projects the Lord's people may
devise that they may prosper and get on in the world, he rarely allows their
plans to thrive. He knows well to what consequences it would lead--that this
ivy creeping round the stem would, as it were, suffocate and strangle the
tree. The more that worldly goods increase, the more the heart is fixed upon
them; and the more the affections are set upon idols, the more is the heart
drawn away from the Lord. He will not allow his people to have their portion
here below. He, therefore, says to them in his providence, as well as in his
word, "Seek them not."
But you will perhaps say, "What are we then to seek?" I will tell you in one word--REALITIES.
What are these great things that you are seeking after in 'religion'? Could you see them in their right light, you would see that they are but shadows. You feel, for instance, your deficiency in gift in public when you are called upon to pray, or in private when you converse with those who possess readier speech, and you want what are commonly called gifts, such as a greater fluency of utterance, more ability to quote Scripture, and a more abundant variety of expressions, so as to make a deeper impression on the hearers--your real desire being that you might stand higher in their estimation.
But what would these gifts, if you had them to the fullest extent, so that men might almost worship you for them, do for you when you shall be called upon to lie upon a death-bed--when eternity is in view, and your soul has to deal with God only? You will desire no gifts then. Grace will be the only thing which can do you any good.
