The Courage to Swim Against the Current - Jer. 38:1-13
Illustration:To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.
Elbert Hubbard.
Illustration: Where Am I Going?
Pastor Rick - Crown Of Life Church
From Zalomes Bridge to the World
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It’s comforting to hear that even Albert Einstein had a brain cramp
now and then.
One time, for instance, he was taking a train to an out of town
engagement. The conductor stopped by to punch his ticket, but
the great scientist preoccupied with his work, explained that he
couldn’t find his ticket. Not in the coat pockets, not in the
briefcase.
The conductor said, "We all know who you are, Dr. Einstein. I’m
sure you bought ticket. Don’t worry about it."
As the conductor moved along, he looked back to see Einstein on
his hands and knees searching under the seats for his ticket. The
conductor walked back, "Dr. Einstein, please, don’t worry about it.
I know who you are."
Exasperated, Einstein looked up and said, "I, too, know who I am.
What I don’t know is where I’m going."
For those moments when you’re not sure where you are going,
remember that God does.
"A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone
understand his own way?" Proverbs 20:24
Too many people live more by fear than by faith in our world today. Let us examine the life of one Ethiopian man who had great faith and courage to rescue a man of God from the pit at a time when Jeremiah was out of favor with the king. Most friends are fair weather in nature, not this man. Ebed-Melech is a great example of an ordinary person with extra-ordinary courage.
Illustration:
** Salutatorian Refuses To Keep Silent about Faith In Her Graduation
Speech **
After winning a hard fought battle over an attempt to censor religious references from her speech, Shannon Wray delivered her non-censored salutatorian speech on Friday during the Hollidaysburg Area High School graduation ceremony. Shannon was represented by Mat Staver, Erik Stanley, and Joel Oster of Liberty Counsel, a Religious Civil Liberties Legal Defense Organization, in her fight against the censorship of her speech.
By graduating as salutatorian, Shannon earned the opportunity to give a speech during the graduation ceremony. The school asked Shannon to speak about the past, including how friendships helped her get through
high school. Shannon is a dedicated Christian, and she felt that she could not give the speech without talking about how her best friend, Jesus Christ, helped her through school. In the speech, Shannon said, "He, even more so than the people I love, has been there every day, never forcing me to do anything, but always encouraging me to stretch my limits and strive for the best He has to offer. His name is Jesus; He is my greatest friend." She went on to say, "It is because of Him that I have achieved and succeeded, and, no matter how much knowledge
Hollidaysburg High has bestowed upon me, I would know nothing if I didn’t know Him."
The school, after reading a copy of Shannon’s speech, censored the above statements, and prohibited Shannon from making other religious references in her speech. Liberty Counsel then contacted the school, and informed the school that censoring Shannon’s speech of religious content violated the Establishment Clause, Free Speech Clause, and the Free Exercise of Religion Clause of the United States Constitution. On the eve of filing a Temporary Restraining Order in Federal Court against the school, the school agreed to not censor Shannon’s speech.
1. Ebed Melech had the courage to approach the king and at the risk of his own safety request to speak favorably about Jeremiah. He said, "My lord, the king, these men have acted wickedly in all they have done to Jeremiah the prophet." (Jer 38:9) Be bold enough to speak on behalf of godly people even when it is not a popular thing to do. Many a man proclaims his loyalty, but a faithful friend who can find, wrote Solomon in Proverbs. Ask the Lord to help you to be a bold friend who will advocate for people in need even if it means risking your own reputation.
Illustration:
A famous Methodist evangelist named Peter Cartwright was known for his uncompromising preaching. However, one day when the President of the United States, Andrew Jackson, "Old rough and ready," came to Cartwright’s church, the elders warned the Pastor not to offend the President. In those days, the President had great power to influence a denomination for good or bad. Content, that their Pastor would not say anything to discredit their church, the elders retired to the back of the sanctuary. When Cartwright got up to speak, the first words out of his mouth were, "I understand that President Andrew Jackson is here this morning. I have been requested to be very guarded in my remarks. Let me say this: "Andrew Jackson will go to hell if doesn’t repent of his sin!" The entire congregation gasped with shock at Cartwright’s boldness. How could this young preacher dare to offend the tough old general in public, they wondered. After the service, everyone wondered how the President would respond to Cartwright. When Andrew Jackson met the preacher at the door he looked at him in the eye and said, "Sir, If I had a regiment of men like you, I could conquer the world!" When we appreciate the power of the word of God and the Holy Spirit speaking from the lips of people with conviction we will make eternal differences.
2. Ebed Melech had the boldness to speak the truth about wickedness even when he knew there might be repurcussions. Let us speak the truth in love even though it may mean some will seek vengeance. God is able to defend us and deliver us from any and all forms of evil.
Illustration:Before we are too harsh in judging those scribes and Pharisees of Jesus’ day, let’s stop and look at ourselves. All too many Christians today go to church to find fault, to gossip, and to criticize. Warren Wiersbe, in his book Angry People, wrote, "An incident in the life of Joseph Parker, the great British preacher, illustrates this tragic truth. He was preaching at the City Temple in London. After the service one of the listeners came up to him and said, ’Dr. Parker, you made a grammatical error in your sermon.’ He then proceeded to point out the error to the pastor. Joseph Parker looked at the man and said, ’And what else did you get out of the message?’ What a fitting rebuke!"
W. Wiersbe.
3. Ebed Melech had compassion by being concerned about Jeremiah’s well being and human need. He said, "They have thrown Jeremiah into a cistern, where he will starve to death when there is no longer any bread in the city." (Jer. 38:9) Godly advocates a wise, compassionate and willing to articulate the needs of others when they cannot speak for themselves. Ask the Lord to help you to pray and intercede for others when they are unable to do so for themselves. Be assured that Jesus’ words are true. Blessed are the merciful for they will receive mercy.
Illustration: One student came to me asking for mercy with his thesis. Even though he was a poor student I was reminded of what Jesus said about mercy and do everything to assist him through to graduation. God showed me mercy later at a most critical time when I was abused and persecuted by carnal men. I believe the Lord remembered my small act of mercy and multiplied his mercy to me when I needed it most. I praise God for His promise to multiply mercy to those who show mercy to others. Appropriate this blessed beatitude by showing mercy to everyone you possibly can.
3. Ebed Melech won the favor of the king who ordered him to take thirty men and lift him out of the pit. Ask the Lord to give you such diplomatic skill, tact and statesmanship when you approach leaders. By showing such submission and concern for others people of influence will be more apt to respond to your requests as they see how unselfishly you are working on behalf of other’s needs.
4. Ebed Melech knew that there is no such thing as in insignificant advocacy, intercession or service to those who are need. God had this act of history recorded so billions could follow the example of this one obscure person in the Bible. Little acts of service becomes much when we place it in the Master’s hand.
5. Ebed Melech pulled Jeremiah out of the pit when he needed help the most. There are times in life when we will all need others to assist us. Be kind to everyone you meet for you do not know how that may influence to help you in your time of need. Obviously, Jeremiah influenced Ebed Melech enough to inspire him to do something for the man of God. There is no insignificant person. Be kind to everyone and minister to all those who God directs you to serve. Your deeds will return to bless you.
6. Ebed Melech saw how Jeremiah was able to stay in the king’s courtyard. Those who act as intercessors for the needy will see the fruits of the labor. Jeremiah was able to stay in the protected shelter of the king’s courtyard as a witness of his friend’s advocacy. Know that every act will resound to God’s greater glory and a more visible witness to the working of the Spirit in your life. Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men that they can see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matt 5:16)
7. Ebed Melech knew that where words are inadequate, deeds will open doors for ministry opportunities. Many missions fields have been opened as a result of a kind work in a hospital, a classroom or a agricultural ministry. There are times when words do not convey the love of God as well as a simple act of kindness. May the Lord help us to follow the command of I John 3:18. "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue only but in actions and in truth."
Illustration:Being criticized is not a problem if you develop a positive way of dealing with it. Winston Churchill had the following words of Abe Lincoln framed on the wall of his office: "I do the very best I can, I mean to keep going. If the end brings me out all right, then what is said against me won’t matter. If I’m wrong, ten angels swearing I was right won’t make a difference."
Bits & Pieces, April 29, 1993, pp. 15-16 .
