Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “This is what the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘If you surrender to the Babylonian officers, you and your family will live, and the city will not be burned down.’” Jer 38:17
To really make a difference in the lives of others will often involve personal sacrifice. Personal sacrifice can often be uncomfortable.
It would seem to be easy if God is asking you for personal sacrifice as in the case of Abraham and the sacrifice of Isaac or the surrender of Zedekiah.

Imagine if you held the life of a city in the palm of your hand; that your decision could determine life or death.

Zedekiah’s response was self-preservation; “But I am afraid to surrender,” the king said, “for the Babylonians may hand me over to the Judeans who have defected to them. And who knows what they will do to me!” Jer 38:19
His fear, though justified, was unwarranted in the light of God’s instructions.

You and I have been given an instruction by God also – one of personal sacrifice.
How about you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. Matt 22:37
Sounds like there would be very little left for you or me. We will have to sacrifice our personal time.
What isn’t realized is God will take care of you and me. You’re instructed to not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Matt 6:25
He goes on to tell you to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matt 6:33

It would seem that to get more from God – we have to give more of ourselves. As Delores McGuire is quoted as saying, “Self-sacrifice is never entirely unselfish, for the giver never fails to receive.”

As a final thought – Zedekiah refused to listen to God and tried to sneak away in the night. But the Babylonian troops chased King Zedekiah and caught him on the plains of Jericho, for his men had all deserted him and scattered. They took him to the king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath. There the king of Babylon pronounced judgment upon Zedekiah. He made Zedekiah watch as they slaughtered his sons and all the other officials of Judah. Then they gouged out Zedekiah’s eyes, bound him in bronze chains, and led him away to Babylon. Zedekiah remained there in prison until the day of his death. Jer 52:8-11

If only he had listened to God. If only I would always listen to God. Any personal sacrifice is returned with God’s reward!