Encourage Yourself!

 

Put these clothes under your arms’, he said. ‘Then tie the ropes over them so that they will not hurt you.’ Jeremiah did as Ebed-Melech had said._ ~Jeremiah 38:12 (EasyEnglish Version)

Obedience to God's word is such a hard thing to do without opposition. So imagine when about 99% of the people around you do everything to frustrate and prevent you from being obedient to the word of God. Such was Jeremiah's case. 

He was under constant scorch of hate from men, mostly the very people he served with God's message and warnings for their own good. And one of such ended him in cistern (in this case, a natural reservoir; a hollow place containing water) prison.

But my dear neighbor, know this, GOD WILL MAKE ROOM FOR YOU. Should you stay obedient to what He says, you will receive a Calvary. 

Ebed-Melech is an Ethiopian slave whose name can mean "servant of the king." He should not necessarily have the kings ear but if you serve the King of kings anyone or authority will listen to you because the counsel of Jehovah is superior to any other. 

Note these three things Jeremiah received: 

(1) A servant: The key piece in God's strategies mostly has to involve a man; someone who responds positively to His will (an obedient man). He is All-mighty but God chooses to use man. It does not lessen His "Godness."

 

(2) A rope: The rope may signify the hand of God which can reach us anywhere no matter how deep, far, or apart we are. But sometimes the hand of God, which could be His how strategy to deliver us, may just be too painful in our process of help. And so he gives us a cushion. 

 

(3) A rag: God's cushion in this instance. For Jeremiah God used a rag but He is not limited to it. He normally uses discarded, unwanted and foolish elements to produce cushions. Remember the cross? That cursed element brought us salvation! For each of us and for each problem we may have, God can use anything and everything including a rag and a cross to cushion us even as He rescues us from any negative situation. 

 

God bless and help us. 

#JesusStillSaves

Pastor CK