Jeremiah 39:15–18

Trust God. 

In Jesus and the power of Holy Spirit we can do the right thing and have peace in any situation that we  find ourselves in. We no longer have to protect ourselves we have Jesus and His Holy Spirit to keep us and deliver us safely home.

Joy in salvation is our strength knowing that God cares for us with an everlasting love in Jesus.

All changes, all growth, all improvements in the quality of our lives flow out of our vision of God. And when our vision of God is one of a God of relentless tenderness, we ultimately become tender ourselves. (The Wittenburg Door, Oct–Nov 1986)

This has been on my mind quite a bit, of late. In a world that feels upside down, where shutting down emotionally is both tempting, and not surprising.

The good news is that gratitude expands our world, and allows us to look out, beyond our anxiety or angst, to a world where we can create space, sanctuaries for mercy and compassion and gentleness and empathy. And tenderness.

Gratitude reminds us that we are wholeheartedly human. Because gratitude naturally repairs the tears and lacerations in our spirit.

I do know this: Anxiety or angst makes our world smaller and harsher and crueler.

Without restoration that comes with a thankful and tender heart, we give way to fear, judgment and exhaustion. This much is true: Fear and judgment never serve us. Sabbath Moments 

“’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.” When John Newton penned this promise, he did so out of personal experience. His greatest test came the day he buried his wife, Mary. He’d loved her and prayed his death would precede hers. But his prayer was not answered.

Yet, on the day Mary Newton died, John Newton found strength to preach a Sunday sermon. The next day he visited church members. Later he officiated at his wife’s funeral. He grieved, but in his grief he found God’s provision. He later wrote, “The Bank of England is too poor to compensate for such a loss as mine. But the Lord, the all-sufficient God speaks, and it is done. Let those who know Him, and trust Him, be of good courage.”

My friend, disease, calamity, and trouble populate your world. But they do not control it. Grace does.  MAX LUCADO

Jeremiah 39:15–18

15 Meanwhile the word of the Lord had come to Jeremiah while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying, 16 “Go and speak to Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “Behold, I will bring My words upon this city for adversity and not for good, and they shall be performed in that day before you. 17 But I will deliver you in that day,” says the Lord, “and you shall not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid. 18 For I will surely deliver you, and you shall not fall by the sword; but your life shall be as a prize to you, because you have put your trust in Me,” says the Lord.’ ” The New King James Version

Ebed-melech (also rendered “Ebed-Melek”) will be spared because of his support for Jeremiah and devotion to Yahweh. Faithlife Study Bible

Ebed-Melech, who had carefully rescued Jeremiah from the muddy cistern in the prison court, was promised safety and deliverance by the Lord because of his assistance to Jeremiah and because he had put his trust in God. The NKJV Study Bible

Here is a message to assure Ebed-melech of a recompence for his great kindness to Jeremiah. Because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the Lord. God recompenses men’s services according to their principles. Those who trust God in the way of duty, as this good man did, will find that their hope shall not fail in times of the greatest danger. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Jeremiah 45:5 And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh,” says the LORD. “But I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go.” ’ ”