The Fine Print: The Help You Didn’t See Coming

Apr 28
6 min read

Rescued.

Welcome back!

Imagine this: You stand alone, surrounded by people who despise the very words God has placed in your mouth. You’ve been faithful. You’ve spoken the truth. But instead of gratitude, you’re met with resistance and rejection.

Maybe you’ve heard, "You’re too saved for me," or felt the sting of family and friends pulling away when you speak correction or share the truth.

They don’t just ignore you. They cancel you. They cast you aside, hoping to silence the message God has entrusted to you. You feel abandoned, discarded, forgotten.

Now, please hear what I’m not saying: Rejection is not of God. We are not rejected by Him. But what I am saying is that when life happens—when rejection from man strikes God’s children—He always has a way made for us. What others intend for harm, God can use for redirection. However, we must stand firm and speak the true word of God.

Rejection is painful, yes. But in God’s hands, it can also be purposeful. What feels like abandonment may actually be an assignment. What looks like a setback could be the very thing positioning you for what’s next.

Thank you, Jesus, that today, if someone throws us into a pit, there are laws in place to bring justice! But for Jeremiah, there was no legal system to defend him—no protection, no second chance in the eyes of men.

At least, that’s what the people thought.

Why They Wanted to Cancel Jeremiah

Jeremiah wasn’t just unpopular—he was dangerous in the eyes of the leaders. His message was destroying morale, they said (Jeremiah 38:4). He wasn’t speaking what they wanted to hear. He wasn’t reinforcing their hopes or validating their rebellion.

He was telling them the truth: the city was going to fall, and no amount of denial would change that. To put it simply—he wasn't conforming to the ways of the world.

The people of Judah wanted prophets who would tell them what they wanted to hear. They wanted assurance that everything would be fine, that their choices didn’t have consequences, that they could continue living in disobedience and still receive God’s protection.

But Jeremiah was sent to speak what God said, not what the people desired.

Instead of repenting, they rejected him.

The Ancient Version of Cancel Culture

In today’s world, we call it cancel culture. If someone says something that challenges popular opinion, people shut them down, label them a problem, and remove them from the conversation. The goal? Silence the voice that makes them uncomfortable.

Jeremiah faced the same thing. The officials went to King Zedekiah and convinced him that Jeremiah was a threat. His words were too disruptive, too dangerous. If he kept speaking, people might start listening. They might start changing. And that was a risk the leaders weren’t willing to take.

So, they canceled him in the most literal way they could—they threw him into a cistern, a deep pit used to store water, but in this case, all that was left was mud.

And Jeremiah sank into it.

Imagine the moment. The chill of the damp walls. The weight of rejection pressing in from every side.

The silence, the darkness, the realization: I did what God told me to do, and now I’m here?

What Jeremiah didn’t know was that his rejection wasn’t the end. In fact, it was about to be the very thing that aligned him with God’s provision.

Because God had already assigned someone to pull him out.

And that’s where the real story begins.

Who’s Watching: A Surprising Ally

“My lord the king,” Ebed-Melech said, “these men have acted wickedly in all they have done to Jeremiah the prophet. They have thrown him into a cistern, where he will starve to death when there is no longer any bread in the city.” (Jeremiah 38:9, NIV)

Have you ever heard someone say, "You never know who is watching"? Well, Ebed-Melech is proof that someone is always watching your walk more than your talk. They are watching to see what Jesus looks like, what He sounds like. They are looking at your fruit—because it speaks louder than your words.

Ebed-Melech saw the character of Jeremiah and knew he was a God-fearing man, even though he himself wasn’t an Israelite. Meaning, he didn’t believe in the same way Jeremiah did. And yet, he recognized something different about him.

Friend, folks know when the hand of God is on you.

The Boldness of Ebed-Melech: Approaching the King

So, he approached the king.

That might sound simple to us today, but in biblical times, approaching a king was anything but casual. It was a serious, even life-threatening act if not done correctly.

Who Could Approach the King?

Back then, kings were not easily accessible. Unlike today, where we can send a meeting request on Google Calendar, a king was seen as the highest authority, almost godlike in some cultures.

Let’s take a closer look:

Only those summoned could approach. If the king didn’t call for you, stepping into his presence uninvited could cost you your life. Even Queen Esther hesitated before going to King Xerxes unannounced—she knew the risk (Esther 4:11).
Servants, officials, and advisors had ranks. Palace servants like Ebed-Melech weren’t decision-makers. They worked behind the scenes, attending to duties, but speaking up—especially challenging powerful leaders—was unheard of.
Kings were heavily guarded. If someone tried to approach without permission, they could be executed on the spot. The only way to safely speak was if the king extended his favor and allowed it.

Why Was Ebed-Melech’s Action So Brave?

He wasn’t invited. He risked his life by speaking out.
He was a foreigner. He wasn’t an Israelite, meaning he had even less status in the royal court. He had no real power to demand anything.
He was opposing the king’s own officials. The same powerful men who threw Jeremiah into the cistern were the ones advising the king. Speaking against them was dangerous.

Yet, he still spoke up.

My God! I hope now it’s clear how big of a deal this was.

Ebed-Melech risked everything to do what was right. He wasn’t a prophet, a warrior, or a nobleman—just a servant with a heart for justice.

And God honored him for it.

The Power of Community: Ebed-Melech and His Friends

Ebed-Melech didn’t act alone. He didn’t just throw a rope down and say, “Climb.” He thought about Jeremiah’s condition. He gathered old rags, softened the rope, and ensured Jeremiah wouldn’t be further harmed in the rescue (Jeremiah 38:12).

But here’s something we don’t talk about enough: he had help.

With the king’s permission, Ebed-Melech didn’t go alone—he brought three friends with him.

That makes me wonder:

What kind of man was Ebed-Melech that three people were willing to risk their safety to help him rescue someone else?

Did they trust his character enough to follow him into danger?
Did they believe in Jeremiah’s cause, or did they simply believe in their friend?
Whatever the reason, they went with him.

And because of their willingness, Jeremiah was lifted out of the pit.

This small, intentional act of kindness proves something powerful: When God sends help, it’s not just enough to survive—it’s full of care and thoughtfulness.

Your Position Matters

I’m saying this to remind you—your position is needed for the Kingdom. Someone is watching how you reflect Jesus. Your response matters.

You may feel like Jeremiah, rejected and cast aside for speaking the truth. Or maybe you feel like Ebed-Melech, stepping in to help someone whom others have dismissed.

Either way, don’t reject the unexpected help God sends your way.

Your lifeline may come from an unfamiliar source, but if God sent it, it’s exactly what you need.

Prayer

Father, help me to stand firm in Your truth, even when it’s unpopular. Give me the courage to speak as Jeremiah did and the faith to trust that You will always provide a way.

When I feel rejected, remind me that You see, You hear, and You have a plan. And when You send help, give me the wisdom to receive it, no matter what it looks like.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Conclusion

Keep speaking the truth. Keep doing His will. Even when they don’t want to hear it.

God sees, and He will always send the help you need—right on time.