Corona Devo 1778
Do the right thing today. God is not only aware of our integrity and our trust in Him, but it pleases Him.
Sometimes we wonder what the right thing might be. But other times we know beyond a shadow of a doubt what the right thing is. The only question is, will we do it?
Do the right thing today. God is not only aware of our integrity and our trust in Him, but He will bless us for it.
Does that mean I'm promising that if we "do good", we'll be millionaires or never contract cancer?
Of course not.
Many have served God faithfully but have suffered greatly.
However, if we love God, we will have a testimony of His presence...even in our suffering. And His promise of Eternity with Him is an (eventual) blessing that every person who puts their trust in God can expect.
And so, now or later, or (more likely) now and later...Do the right thing today because it pleases God.
Ebed-melech did the right thing, and God was pleased.
Because you trusted me, I will give you your life as a reward. I will rescue you and keep you safe. I, the Lord, have spoken!’” ~Jeremiah 39:18
Do the right thing today because it pleases God.
Maybe it is being an advocate or a voice for a person that is getting picked-on or taken advantage-of at school, at work, or in our family. Do the right thing today because it pleases God.
Perhaps it is being honest in a situation where we have the opportunity not to. The other day at the store I watched as the clerk rang up two of the same items but placed three in my grocery bag. I knew that she had missed (charging me) for one.
In that moment, our flesh could quip, "That's my good luck", but walking out with three things and only paying for two is theft. God says, "Thou shalt not steal" (Exodus 20:15), and if I know that I'm going home with three items and paying for two, then I am stealing. Do the right thing today because it pleases God.
Perhaps it is honesty on a test, our timesheet, resume, taxes or in our marriage. Do the right thing today because it pleases God.
Perhaps we are not entirely sure what "the right thing" to do is.
Perhaps Ebed-melech was not entirely sure of what the right thing to do was...but he knew what it was not.
He knew he couldn't allow a prophet of God (Jeremiah) to die in the bottom of a well (cistern) by starvation.
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, (8) so Ebed-melech rushed from the palace to speak with him. (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.”
(11) So Ebed-melech took the men with him... and went to a room in the palace beneath the treasury, where he found some old rags and discarded clothing. He carried these to the cistern and lowered them to Jeremiah on a rope. (12) Ebed-melech called down to Jeremiah, “Put these rags under your armpits to protect you from the ropes.” Then when Jeremiah was ready, (13) they pulled him out. So Jeremiah was returned to the courtyard of the guard—the palace prison—where he remained. ~Jeremiah 38:7-13
Perhaps today we are not entirely sure of how to "right a wrong". But if we are sure that a wrong must be righted, then let's just begin the process. Put one foot in front of the other and do the right thing.
We have all gotten away with things and we know it. And in the moment, we might even be proud or braggadocious about it. But I am certain that our Lord's reaction in reference to sinful infractions is never going to be, "Wow, great work! You really pulled the wool over their eyes with that one!"
Instead, the Bible preaches honesty and fairness to a fault. Do the right thing today. God is not only aware of our integrity and our trust in Him, but it pleases Him.
It might be forgiveness. It might be repenting. It might be flushing the toilet when someone else didn't. It might be holding a door open. or closing our mouth. It might be taking the trash out or taking the initiative. Let's do the right thing today. God is not only aware of our integrity and our trust in Him, but it pleases Him.
It pleased the Lord to see Ebed-melech do the right thing for Jeremiah.
The Lord had given the following message to Jeremiah while he was still in prison: (16) “Say to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: I will do to this city everything I have threatened. I will send disaster, not prosperity. You will see its destruction, (17) but I will rescue you from those you fear so much.
(18) Because you trusted me, I will give you your life as a reward. I will rescue you and keep you safe. I, the Lord, have spoken!’” ~Jeremiah 39:15-18
Do the right thing today because it pleases God...and isn't that all that we want?
Blessings,
sarah
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