Scripture
16 “Say to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian,[a] ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: I will do to this city everything I have threatened. I will send disaster, not prosperity. You will see its destruction, 17 but I will rescue you from those you fear so much. 18 Because you trusted me, I will give you your life as a reward. I will rescue you and keep you safe. I, the Lord, have spoken!’” Jeremiah 39:16-18
Observation
Ebed-melech was an eunuch. Basically, he was a neutered, black man under the kings service in Israel. He was a foreigner, who had once saved Jeremiah’s life by getting the king to pull him out of the cistern he was thrown into. He even had enough empathy to give Jeremiah rags to put under his armpits to protect him from the ropes used to haul him up. God took a brief moment in the middle of proclaiming the coming destruction of the land, to give Ebed-melech reassurance that he would be safe because of his faithfulness.
Application
God is so wonderful. This passage reminds me how personally involved in our lives He is. Yes, He is the Judge and can destroy nations, but he takes time to individually be a part of our lives no matter who we are. If we remain faithful to Him, He will keep his promises to us.
Prayer
God, help me to know how intimately involved you are in my life even if things around me seem to be falling apart. Help me to be obedient to You, even when I feel I would be justified in doing something else. Please forgive the times I don’t listen to Your sweet, small voice telling me which way I should go. Amen.
{ 0 comments… add one now }