Protection

O. T. #1810 "Protection"

Oct. 29, 2020

Jeremiah 39

LET IT GLOW

We had a new wall heater installed yesterday. It heated wonderfully, but there was a problem. Before we went to bed, I could smell a touch of gas in the house. It wasn't strong, so we went on to bed. During the wee hours of the morning, I woke up  and smelled gas in our bedroom in the back of the house. Finally, I decided to turn off the new heater, opened the door, and turned on the ceiling  fan. Then I started the pellet stove. (Now, I will admit that I have a blood hound nose that detects any slight odors.) But when my husband got up, he finally agreed there was a leak, so he texted the installer about it. Being a friend at our church, he came out and fixed it. Friends, our loving God watched over us through the night. If the leak had been worse, we could be with Jesus in heaven right now. I said all of that to show how our God is so good to us, even when we may not realize it. Today, we will read of two ways He saved two of His people. 

We left Jeremiah in prison for prophesying gloom and doom for Jerusalem if they would not repent of their sins-idolatry and immorality and disobedience. The king and his family would live if they only turned back to God and led the people to do so. But they would not.

Then the bottom fell out. After a year and a half siege, Jerusalem finally fell to the Babylonians. King Zedekiah escaped by night, bud was captured by the Chaldean army in the plains of Jericho, and taken to Nebuchadnezzar. Zedekiah saw his sons and officials killed, The king of Judah was blinded a taken away in chains, shackles. If only he had followed Jeremiah's words from God, this would not have happened.

What else happened?

*Houses of the king and people were burned.

*The walls of Jerusalem were broken down. (verse 8)

*A remnant of poor people were left with vineyards and fields. (verse 10)

*The captain of the guard was given special instructions for Jeremiah's treatment-see that he isn't hurt, look after him well, and give him anything he wants. (verse 12)

*Jeremiah was taken to Gedaliah, a Hebrew puppet governor appointed by Neb to rule over the poor people left in Judah. He took Jeremiah back to his home. (verse 14)

Even though the bottom fell out, God still had His eye on Jeremiah. And so it is with us, a child of God. When we think things can worse, God is still in charge, for He is sovereign.

What a different between Jeremiah and Zedekiah:

Jeremiah was freed, saved because of his faith, treated with respect, as he was concerned for the people. However, King Zedekiah was imprisoned, had fear, was treated with contempt, and was concerned with himself. Which one are we like? 

LET IT GROW

Remember that man who rescued Jeremiah from the pit? Well God remembered him, too. (verse 18) It was because Ebed-melech trusted in God, he was given life as a reward. God never forgets His own. Even as He delivered His prophet, He also delivered His lowly servant. He can do the same for you and me, friend. And He has for me, just today!

Isaiah 61:10 says, I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

LET IT GO

You're a good, good Father. That is who You are.

And I'm loved by You. That is who You are.

You are a faithful God. That is who You  are.