“When Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch who was in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern,.. [he] said to the king, ‘My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they did to Jeremiah the prophet by casting him into the cistern, and he will die there of hunger, for there is no bread left in the city.’ Then the king commanded Ebed-melech, ‘Take thirty men with you from here, and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies.’ So Ebed-melech took the men with him and went to the house of the king, to a wardrobe in the storehouse, and took from there old rags and worn-out clothes, which he let down to Jeremiah in the cistern by ropes. Then Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, ‘Put the rags and clothes between your armpits and the ropes.’ Jeremiah did so. Then they drew Jeremiah up with ropes and lifted him out of the cistern. And Jeremiah remained in the court of the guard.”
“The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah while he was shut up in the court of the guard: ‘Go, and say to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will fulfill my words against this city for harm and not for good, and they shall be accomplished before you on that day. But I will deliver you on that day, declares the Lord, and you shall not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid. For I will surely save you, and you shall not fall by the sword, but you shall have your life as a prize of war, because you have put your trust in me, declares the Lord.”’” Jeremiah 38:7-13; 39:15-18
Tucked into international political tensions and intrigue is the remarkable servant Ebed-melech. His importance to the Lord becomes important to us as inspiration for unselfish boldness and faith. He acted out of a sense of rightness, kindness, and justice, and God blessed his intentional expressions of faith.
How and where are we exhibiting courage in faith? To whom are we reaching out, for whom helpless and voiceless do we intercede or speak? In what situations have we gone to the wardrobe of possibility and storehouse of grace to lighten a burden, ease a pain, or participate in rescue? What opportunities await our involvement?
And how has the Lord returned blessing to us? For what relief, encouragement, unexpected provision can we thank God today? How might we offer that blessing, by word or deed, to those who faithfully serve Him and His causes?
Our generosity can never exceed that of Christ’s to us, but it can honor His grace and make a difference for others. As we make ourselves available, He will open opportunities to minister to the needy and rely on His means to bless in His name. He hears what is prayed and sees what is done in secret, and meets it all with heavenly benediction. When our goal is pure in giving, by His spiritual economy we receive much more in return. (Proverbs 11:25; Matthew 6:2-4,6,20)
Father, out of Your bounty to me make me grateful, and bountiful to others for Your name’s sake.
As the rain and snow 