Daily Devotional for November 20, 2015
Jeremiah 39
Scripture:
15 While Jeremiah had been confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the LORD came to him: 16 “Go and tell Ebed-Melech the Cushite, ‘This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfill my words against this city through disaster, not prosperity. At that time they will be fulfilled before your eyes. 17 But I will rescue you on that day, declares the LORD; you will not be handed over to those you fear. 18 I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the LORD.’ “
Observation:
As a Spirit-Empowered Man, I feel compelled to look for opportunities to do what is right. I am reminded of the TV show called “What Would You Do?,” where the producers created situations to see how others would act when confronted in the moment. I always believed that if I were in one of those situations, I would respond in a way that would honor God. I hope that would be the response of each of us. However, the real question is, “Would we?”
Ebed-Melek, a trusted official of King Zedekiah, stood against great opposition when he reported to the king that “wicked” men had thrown Jeremiah into a cistern where he would surely die. He set out, regardless of the consequences, to do what was right.
The king ordered Ebed-Melek to take thirty men to lift Jeremiah out of the cistern. Why so many when the task could have been accomplished by a few? King Zedekiah knew Ebed-Melek was likely to encounter opposition. No doubt Ebed-Melek knew this too, but he did not allow it to deter him from doing what was right.
Just as Jeremiah had prophesied, Nebuchadnezzar’s army did breach the walls of Jerusalem and enter the city as the king and his soldiers fled. What of Ebed-Melek? God gave Jeremiah a word for him.
Ebed-Melek is only mentioned in Jeremiah 38 and 39, but his life is an example for us of the importance of trusting the Lord and doing the right thing.
Application:
- Personal Application: Wholehearted trust in the Lord will help us to do what is right. Trusting that the Lord is with us and that He has a plan for us should overcome any feelings of fear and doubt. If God is for us, who can be against us? Put your trust in the Lord and do not lean on your own understanding and in all your ways acknowledge Him. Doing what is right may not always be easy; however, putting your full trust in the Lord will definitely help.
- Family Devotional: Read this chapter to your family. Encourage them to, above all, put their trust in the Lord. Remind them that God is good and has a plan for their lives. Ask them if any situations are bringing fear and doubt into their life. If so, show them how trusting in the Lord can overcome those feelings. Pray for them.
Prayer:
- Personal Prayer Focus: Ask God for the ability to trust in Him even when it’s hard. Also, ask Him to help you recognize the opportunities to do what is right when those situations arise.
- Family Prayer Focus: Pray that God will put their faith and trust in the Lord when their courage gets weak.
Three Year Reading Plan for Sunday, November 15 – Sunday, November 22:
- Sunday, November 15: Jeremiah 34
- Monday, November 16: Jeremiah 35
- Tuesday, November 17: Jeremiah 36
- Wednesday, November 18: Jeremiah 37
- Thursday, November 19: Jeremiah 38
- Friday, November 20: Jeremiah 39
- Saturday, November 21: Jeremiah 40
- Sunday, November 22: Jeremiah 41
—TOM GROOT is National Director of Men’s Ministry and Christian Education. Connect with Tom on Facebook or Twitter @TomGrootJr.
Portions of this devotional are adapted from God’s Word for Today, August 24, 2013, written by Marlene Bagnull.
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