Good deeds are obvious

[jeremiah7]

GOOD DEEDS ARE OBVIOUS, AND EVEN THOSE THAT ARE NOT CANNOT BE HIDDEN-1- Daniel

Moreover, at Daniel's request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon. (Daniel 2:49)

A decree was issued to kill all the wise men of Babylon, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death. All because King Nebuchadnezzar saw a dream and he demanded that the wise men tell him his dream and also interpret it. Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him. Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. During the night the mystery was revealed by God to Daniel in a vision. Daniel told the king the dream that he had seen and also interpreted it to the satisfaction of the king. The king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. Daniel could have been selfish and enjoyed his exalted status all by himself. But he chose not to do that. He did not forget his friends who had prayed with him. No doubt, the mystery was revealed to him, but his friends had also interceded for the same matter. At Daniel's request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon.

MORAL: NEVER FORGET OTHERS WHO HELP YOU WITH PRAYERS OR OTHERWISE

 

[jeremiah7]

GOOD DEEDS ARE OBVIOUS, AND EVEN THOSE THAT ARE NOT CANNOT BE HIDDEN-2-JESUS

Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Stand up in front of everyone." Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus. (Mark 3:1-6)

The Bible says,
God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. Jesus always did good. He advises us,
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

MORAL:ONE MUST NOT STOP DOING GOOD JUST BECAUSE OTHERS DON'T LIKE IT OR DON'T APPROVE OF IT.

 

[jeremiah7]

GOOD DEEDS ARE OBVIOUS, AND EVEN THOSE THAT ARE NOT CANNOT BE HIDDEN-3-EBED-MELECH

Jeremiah's enemies put him into the cistern of Malkijah, the king's son, which was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered him by ropes into the cistern; it had no water in it, only mud, and Jeremiah sank down into the mud. But Ebed-Melech, a Cushite, an official in the royal palace, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern. While the king was sitting in the Benjamin Gate, Ebed-Melech went out of the palace and said to him, "My lord the king, 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." Then the king commanded Ebed-Melech the Cushite, "Take thirty men from here with you and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies." So Ebed-Melech took the men with him and went to a room under the treasury in the palace. He took some old rags and worn-out clothes from there and let them down with ropes to Jeremiah in the cistern. Ebed-Melech the Cushite said to Jeremiah, "Put these old rags and worn-out clothes under your arms to pad the ropes." Jeremiah did so, and they pulled him up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern. And Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard. (Jeremiah 38:6-13)

A kind act by a little known man who showed that he cared when all others condemned a righteous prophet of God. Often there are very few who stand for the truth and not join forces with those in power. Ebed-Melech, the Cushite was one of them. What this man of little or no recognition did to help the prophet was not forgotten by God.

While Jeremiah had been confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the LORD came to him: "Go and tell Ebed-Melech the Cushite, 'This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfill my words against this city through disaster, not prosperity. At that time they will be fulfilled before your eyes. But I will rescue you on that day; you will not be handed over to those you fear. I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the LORD.'" (Jeremiah 39:15-18)

MORAL: GOD NEVER FORGETS WHATEVER ONE DOES FOR HIS SERVANTS AND HE REWARDS THEM IN HIS JUSTICE.

 

[jeremiah7]

GOOD DEEDS ARE OBVIOUS, AND EVEN THOSE THAT ARE NOT CANNOT BE HIDDEN-4-DAVID

David asked, "Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake?" Now there was a servant of Saul's household named Ziba. They called him to appear before David, and the king said to him, "Are you Ziba?" "Your servant," he replied. The king asked, "Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness?" Ziba answered the king, "There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet." "Where is he?" the king asked. Ziba answered, "He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar." So King David had him brought. When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, "Mephibosheth!" "Your servant," he replied. "Don't be afraid," David said to him, "for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table." Mephibosheth bowed down and said, "What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?" Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, "I have given your master's grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master's grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table." Then Ziba said to the king, "Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do." So Mephibosheth ate at David's table like one of the king's sons. (2 Samuel 9:1-11)

David & Jonathan, the son of Saul (first king of Israel) were close friends. Later Saul tried to kill David, who was then his son-in-law, being jealous of his rising popularity. God protected David and finally Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle. David did not forget his friend even though they were in rival camps and here he decided to honor his friendship with Jonathan by doing good to Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth. He did not forget the oath that he had taken with Jonathan to be kind to Jonathan's family when God would have cut off every one of David's enemies. No one would have complained even if David chose to kill Mephibosheth to avenge his persecution at the hands of Saul, yet David here chose to be kind to his friend's son and gave him a place of honor.

MORAL: AN ACT OF KINDNESS SPEAKS VOLUMES OF A MAN/WOMAN'S HEART.

 

[jeremiah7]

GOOD DEEDS ARE OBVIOUS, AND EVEN THOSE THAT ARE NOT CANNOT BE HIDDEN- 5 - MARY

Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages. " He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it."Leave her alone," Jesus replied. "[It was intended] that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. (John 12:1-7)(NIV)

Mary here was expressing her heartfelt gratitude to Jesus for the astounding miracle that Jesus had done for her family. He had raised Lazarus (Mary's brother) from the dead and the dinner given was to honor Jesus. The perfume was expensive and she considered it a great privilege to anoint her master's feet with it. Her devotion and love for her teacher were profoundly expressed without many words being said. Yet there was someone who didn't understand or didn't want to understand the importance of the act. Judas condemned, but Jesus acknowledged his approval for what Mary had done.
Others may look down upon or condemn our actions or deeds that arise from pure devotion to our Savior Jesus, but we must nevertheless continue doing it, if we are sure that it is according to the Word and that it will please our Savior.

MORAL: TRUE DEVOTION TO GOD EXPRESSES ITSELF IN FRAGRANT DEEDS

 

[Coconut]

"Because you trust in me, declares the LORD"

Amen, good stuff Brother!

 

[jeremiah7]

"Because you trust in me, declares the LORD"

Amen, good stuff Brother!

Thanks Coconut. God Bless.

 

[jeremiah7]

GOOD DEEDS ARE OBVIOUS, AND EVEN THOSE THAT ARE NOT CANNOT BE HIDDEN- 6 - BARZILLAI & DAVID

"But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai of Gilead and let them be among those who eat at your table. They stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom."(1 Kings 2:7)

When David had to flee the palace fearing his son Absalom, there were some who helped David. Barzillai the Gileadite was one of them. When David came to Mahanaim, among others, Barzillai brought bedding and bowls and articles of pottery. They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils, honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from cows' milk for David and his people to eat.

David desired to honor Barzillai after he had gained victory over Absalom and told him to come along with him to Jerusalem so that he could provide for him, but Barzillai politely refused telling David that he was very old and would like to spend his last days at home.

Later it was time for David to die. So he called Solomon and instructed him regarding the affairs of the kingdom. Among the matters that David told Solomon were the words that we read in the title verse here.
"But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai of Gilead and let them be among those who eat at your table. They stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom."

David did not forget the kindness of Barzillai during his distress and wanted to repay him in some way, so he kept that in mind even when he was very old and decided to honor Barzillai by giving his sons the privilege to eat at Solomon's table. Thus he re-payed the kindness that Barzillai had shown him while he was in trouble.

MORAL: REPAYING KINDNESS IS JUST AND RIGHT IN GOD'S SIGHT

 

[jeremiah7]

GOOD DEEDS ARE OBVIOUS, AND EVEN THOSE THAT ARE NOT CANNOT BE HIDDEN- 7- JETHRO

Now a priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father's flock. Some shepherds came along and drove them away, but Moses got up and came to their rescue and watered their flock. When the girls returned to Reuel their father, he asked them, "Why have you returned so early today?" They answered, "An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds. He even drew water for us and watered the flock." "And where is he?" he asked his daughters. "Why did you leave him? Invite him to have something to eat." Moses agreed to stay with the man, who gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage. (Exodus 2:16-21)(NIV)

The priest of Midian, Reuel or Jethro helped Moses in his distress. Moses had fled Egypt knowing that he was on Pharaoh's hit list. Jethro gave him shelter and also gave his daughter Zipporah to him in marriage. Never would have Moses dreamed of such a life having grown in the palace as Pharaoh's daughter's son. Jethro was kind to this stranger and continued in kindness later on. When commissioned by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, "Let me go back to my own people in Egypt to see if any of them are still alive." Jethro said, "Go, and I wish you well." Jethro did not oppose, but on the contrary wished Moses well.

When The Lord delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians, Jethro came to Moses in the desert, where he was camped near the mountain of God. Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the LORD had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. He realized that Moses' God was the greatest and brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God. Later when he saw Moses tiring himself out everyday serving as judge for the people, he advised Moses to select capable men from all the people and appoint them as officials over them. When Moses obeyed him, his burden was lightened.

We do not see any ulterior motive on Jethro's part in any of these acts of his and he proved to be a great help to Moses in the second 40 years of his life.

MORAL: SELFLESSNESS IS ALWAYS REFRESHING; IT'S LIKE AN OASIS IN A VAST DESERT