July 5
COMPLETE DELIVERANCE
"But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the Lord; and thou
shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid."
Jer. 39:17
When the Lord's faithful ones are suffering for Him, they shall
have sweet messages of love from Himself, and sometimes they shall
have glad tidings for those who sympathize with them and help them.
Ebed-melech was only a despised Ethiopian, but he was kind to
Jeremiah, and so the Lord sent him this special promise by the mouth
of his prophet. Let us be ever mindful of God's persecuted servants,
and He will reward us.
Ebed-melech was to be delivered from the men whose vengeance he
feared. He was a humble black man, but Jehovah would take care of him.
Thousands were slain by the Chaldeans, but this lowly Negro could not
be hurt. We, too, may be fearful of some great ones who are bitter
against us; but if we have been faithful to the Lord's cause in the
hour of persecution, He will be faithful to us. After all, what can a
man do without the Lord's permission? He puts a bit into the mouth of
rage, and a bridle upon the head of power. Let us fear the Lord, and
we shall have no one else to fear. No cup of cold water given to a
despised prophet of God shall be without its reward; and if we stand
up for Jesus, Jesus will stand up for us.