For I will surely deliver you, and you shall not fall by the sword; Jer. 39:18
Prophet Jeremiah was put in a miry dungeon without food and water because he declared God’s Word about the dreadful invasion of Babylon. However, in the midst of the hard-hearted people of Judah, there was an Ethiopian man Ebed-melech, who stood up boldly for the LORD’s prophet and rescued Jeremiah.
Finally, when the dreadful Babylonian invasion prophecy came true, King Zedekiah’s eyes were put out, princes were slain, houses were burnt, Jerusalem walls were broken and even people were taken captive. However, in the midst of this chaos, God delivered Ebed-melech and spared him from the sword, because he trusted in the LORD. His concern for the LORD and His prophet was duly rewarded at the time of Jerusalem’s fall.
Like Ebed-melech, may the LORD grant us boldness to stand in the face of opposition and commit to do or say the right thing. Obedience to the LORD brings blessing, but disobedience brings judgment.