“For the Lord knows how to rescue the godly out of temptations and reserve the unjust for the Day of Judgment to be punished” (2 Peter 2:9). This verse assures us of God’s individual care in times of national/global judgment. God sees each person who trusts in Him individually and preserves them.
An example of this is seen in an Ethiopian eunuch named Ebedmelech, just prior to Babylon conquering Israel. He had been purchased to work in the palace of the king and his true name had been set aside for a name that defined his lowly station: “servant of the king.” But Ebedmelech served a far greater King than the earthly one - he loved and served the Lord with great boldness.
When Jeremiah the prophet was thrown in a dungeon because the king’s counselors didn’t like his warnings against their sin, Ebedmelech went to the king to rebuke the counselors and ask for Jeremiah’s life. It was a shockingly bold request for a servant – but the king granted it.
Yet Ebedmelech feared what would happen to him when Babylon approached. Would he be killed for being a lowly servant? God sent him a message through Jeremiah…
“Thus says the LORD… Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be fulfilled in that day before your face. BUT, I will deliver you in that day and you shall not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid. For I will surely deliver you, and you shall not fall by the sword, but your life shall be for a prize to you: because you have put your trust in Me, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 39:15-18).
And so too shall it be with us.
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