Tues., 8/11/15 Devotion (Jer. 39:18b)

Today's encouragement comes from Jeremiah 39:18b, where we read these words:

" . . . 'But your life shall be as a prize to you, because you have put your trust in Me,' says the LORD."

This statement (above) was made by God, to an Ethiopian guy named Ebed-Melech. The Lord specifically commissioned the prophet Jeremiah to say this to Ebed-Melech. Almost everyone else in Jerusalem was going to get wiped-out by the Babylonians; but this Ethiopian (maybe not even a Jew) was going to be spared.

And why? Because E-M put his trust in God. There is great power in faith. Too often, we think our strength is in how well we do (at obeying God). But this is not the source of our power nor our encouragement. Faith pleases God (Heb. 11:6); and the Lord will overlook an abundance of weakness, while marveling at faith.

[Puritan quote of the day: "The saints and people of God have no true reason for their discouragements, whatever their condition be.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"