If You Heard It, Then Follow It

[S] Jeremiah 38:24 --
 ²⁴Then Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, "Let no man know about these words and you will not die.

[O] This statement (scene) is very ironical because it is King Zedekiah who should've been concerned about dying and not Jeremiah.  Although it is true that Jeremiah had many people seeking to kill him, Jeremiah was not afraid because he had already surrendered his life to God and trusted Him to protect him; and even if not, he will still be God's presence dead of alive.  However, Zedekiah had a much greater choice to make here about whether to trust and follow God or to stay in his own comfort zone of safety (he was deceiving himself).  Especially knowing what happens to him later, Zedekiah's ignoring of God's warning to him was a bad mistake, but I also make similar mistakes of ignoring God's advice just like Zedekiah.

[A] If I'm not interested in following what God will advise me, don't even bother listening to Him.  Turning that around, if I am going to read or listen to God's word, then listen with the open heart of obeying His words.

[P] Dear God, Your care for me in this world full of so many people really touches me as I meditate on how You personally cared for Zedekiah and Ebed-melech.  Zedekiah refused to follow the personal message clearly presented to him while Ebed-melech trusted in God enough to save Jeremiah and You knew where each of them were and provided Your grace accordingly.  Thank You for being such a warm and personal God.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.