There
Was No Water In The Cistern,
But
There Was A Thick Layer Of Mud At The Bottom,
And
Jeremiah Sank Down Into It.
Scripture
Jeremiah
38
6 So
the officials took Jeremiah from his cell and lowered him by ropes
into an empty cistern in the prison yard. It belonged to Malkijah, a
member of the royal family. There was no water in the cistern, but
there was a thick layer of mud at the bottom, and Jeremiah sank down
into it.
7 But
Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, an important court official, heard that
Jeremiah was in the cistern. At that time the king was holding court
at the Benjamin Gate,
9 “My
lord the king,” he said, “these men have done a very evil thing
in putting Jeremiah the prophet into the cistern. He will soon die of
hunger, for almost all the bread in the city is gone.”
10 So the
king told Ebed-melech, “Take thirty of my men with you, and pull
Jeremiah out of the cistern before he dies.”
Observation
Prophet
Jeremiah was God's spoke person. Jeremiah walked in a close
relationship with God. Even though both of these things were true
that didn't exclude Jeremiah from suffering for God. And if you are a
child of God then you too are going to experience suffering.
Can
you imagine what it was like for Jeremiah? He was lowered down into a
well and sank into the mud at the bottom. And He was left standing in
thick mud that was at the bottom of the well.
I
can only imagine what was going through his mind while he was down in
the well surrounded by nothing but mud and darkness. And this wasn't
the first time that Jeremiah had suffered just because he was God's
prophet.
Our
suffering is promised in Scripture, so it should not come as a
surprise to us when we find ourselves in a pit, sinking in the mud,
and waiting on God to rescue us!
James
5:10
For
examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters,
look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
2
Timothy 3:12
Yes,
and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will
suffer persecution.
Romans
8:17-18
And
since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with
Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his
glory, we must also share his suffering.
Yet
what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will
reveal to us later.
2
Corinthians 4:10
Through suffering,
our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life
of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.
Philippians
1:29
For
you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but
also the privilege of suffering for him.
Colossians
1:24
I
am glad when I suffer for
you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of
Christ that continue for his body, the church.
James
5:13
Are
any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you
happy? You should sing praises.
Application
When
I am in the pit, knee-deep in the mud of despair, I will look up and
I will pray to my God and He will rescue me.
How
about you? What will you do when you experience suffering?
1
Peter 2:21
For
God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as
Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow
in his steps.
1
Peter 4:1
So
then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm
yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer,
too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have
finished with sin.
1
Peter 4:19
So
if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing
what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for
he will never fail you.
Prayer
Heavenly
Father, I know that You have not promised me a pain-free life. In
fact, You have told me over and over again that while I am in this
world I will experience pain, suffering, and trouble. But You have
also promised me that You have overcome this world. I know how this
story ends, Lord. I know that You have a plan to prosper me. This
world is not my home. I am just passing through.
I
pray for those who are experiencing pain and suffering today. Give
them strength. Help them to hold on to every one of Your promises!
Daily
Bible Reading: Jeremiah 37,38,39; Psalms 79; 2 John
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