Tags
Ask For Wisdom, Daniel 1:8, Daniel 3:15-18, Faithfullness, God's Wisdom, James 1:2-8, Zechariah 4:6
Bible Ballistics: BBs #571 Sometimes You’re Just Not Sure???
We all have things that confront us, and decisions looming on the horizon that befuddle us; so, what do we do when these things happen? Sometimes we just aren’t sure how to deal with things, or how to respond properly and in a godly manner to any particular crisis, dilemma, or conflict; but God knows what is going on, and HE hasn’t been surprised. James gives us a word of encouragement and hope for every situation.
“My brethren,
count it all joy
when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this,
that the trying of your faith
worketh patience.
4 But let patience
have her perfect work,
that ye may be perfect
and entire,
wanting nothing. (Lacking nothing)
5 If any of you lack wisdom,
let him ask of God,
that giveth to all men liberally,
and upbraideth not;
and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask
in faith,
nothing wavering.
For he that wavereth
is like a wave of the sea
driven with the wind
and tossed.
7 For let not that man
think that he shall receive any thing
of the Lord.
8 A double minded man
is unstable
in all his ways.” James 1:2-8
As we think about trials and crises (particularly when they are because of our walk of faith and obedience to our Lord) we can take heart and confidence from Daniel’s three friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego!
“Now if ye be ready
that at what time ye hear the sound of
the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery,
and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick,
ye fall down
and worship the image
which I have made;
well:
but if ye worship not,
ye shall be cast the same hour
into the midst of a burning fiery furnace;
and who is that God
that shall deliver you
out of my hands?
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered
and said to the king,
O Nebuchadnezzar,
we are not careful to answer thee
in this matter.
17 If it be so, our God whom we serve
is able to deliver us
from the burning fiery furnace,
and he will deliver us
out of thine hand, O king.
18 But if not,
be it known unto thee, O king,
that we will not serve
thy gods,
nor worship
the golden image
which thou hast set up.” Daniel 3:15-18
As you probably already know, these three young men were called into account for not bowing to the King’s idol, the statue that he had erected (which probably bore a great likeness to himself!) and which he had commanded everyone to worship at the cue of the music. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had already made up their minds with Daniel, when they were taken captive into Babylon, to worship God and remain faithful to Him. And we must decide whom we will serve! We can be like Daniel and his friends, or we can fall prey to the lies, tricks and distractions of the devil. I vote with Daniel!
“But Daniel purposed in his heart
that he would not defile himself
with the portion of the king’s meat,
nor with the wine which he drank:
therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs
that he might not defile himself.” Daniel 1:8
Daniel made the decision to live for God, yet as we read the rest of this amazing account, we find that Daniel’s choice was to live right before God, and to do it with integrity, honor of others, and respect for those over him. What kind of change could we make in the world if we chose to follow God with complete devotion, integrity and respect toward others? What if we sought God’s wisdom for every question, knowing that if we will but ask in faith and confidence, HE will reveal Himself, His will, and His way to us? I simply leave you with one of my favorite reminders:
“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying,
Not by might,
nor by power,
but by my spirit,
saith the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6
Amen and Amen!!!