God's persecuted servants

SUMMARY: God promised to protect Ebed-melech, a despised Ethiopian who helped Jeremiah during his persecution. This shows that God rewards those who help his persecuted servants. Even though Ebed-melech was a poor man, he was protected by God while thousands were killed by the Chaldeans. If we are faithful to God in times of persecution, he will be faithful to us and protect us from those who seek to harm us. No act of kindness towards a servant of God goes unrewarded, and if we defend Jesus, he will defend us.

When the faithful of the Lord are suffering for Him, they will receive sweet messages of love from Him, and sometimes they will receive good news for their supporters and their helpers. Ebed-melech was but a despised Ethiopian, but he was kind to Jeremiah, and so the Lord sent him this special promise through the mouth of His prophet. We must always keep God's persecuted servants in mind, and He will reward us.

Ebed-melech was to be freed from those men whose revenge he feared. He was but a poor black-skinned man, but Jehovah was to take care of him. Thousands were killed by the Chaldeans, but this poor lowly black could not be harmed. We too could be fearful of some great people who have bitterness against us; but if we have been faithful to the Lord's cause in the hour of persecution, He will be faithful to us. After all, what can man do without the Lord's permission? He puts a bridle on the mouth of fury, and a bridle on the head of power. Let us fear the Lord, and we will not have to fear anyone else. No glass of cold water given to a despised prophet of God will go unrewarded; and if we defend Jesus, Jesus will defend us.

Source: The Bank of Faith Checkbook. Translation by Allan Roman.

http://www.spurgeon.com.mx/chequera/meditames/julio.pdf