Day 298 - Allow God to be your Promotion Manager!

Today’s Reading: Jer. 44-46 and Ps. 119:49-72

I love this sober appeal in Jeremiah 45:5 – “Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not.”

It’s the natural self-centered tendency to try to promote yourself, to push yourself forward, to get attention and approval. We all like to be noticed! I like to be noticed. It feels good. But I love Ellen Whites comments about this passage. This is what she writes:

“Let those who feel that their work is not appreciated, and who crave a position of greater responsibility, consider that “promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another.” Psalm 75:6, 7. Every man has his place in the eternal plan of heaven. Whether we fill that place depends upon our own faithfulness in co-operating with God. 

We need to beware of self-pity. Never indulge the feeling that you are not esteemed as you should be, that your efforts are not appreciated, that your work is too difficult. Let the memory of what Christ has endured for us silence every murmuring thought. We are treated better than was our Lord. “Seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not.” Jeremiah 45:5. The Lord has no place in His work for those who have a greater desire to win the crown than to bear the cross. He wants men who are more intent upon doing their duty than upon receiving their reward—men who are more solicitous for principle than for promotion. 

Those who are humble, and who do their work as unto God, may not make so great a show as do those who are full of bustle and self-importance; but their work counts for more. Often those who make a great parade call attention to self, interposing between the people and God, and their work proves a failure. “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her.” Proverbs 4:7, 8. (Ministry of Healing, p. 476)

Let’s just be faithful in the work God gives us, not trying to call attention to self, but seeking only to glorify God. Let’s allow HIM to be our promotions manager.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Jer. 47-48 and John 17