Tags
1 Timothy 4:8-12, Daniel 2:19-23, Hebrews 4:14-16, Jesus Is Truth, John 14:25-26, Matthew 6:5-6, Nebuchadnezzars & Daniels, Standing for....?, Trusting God In All, Truth is True, What are you standing for
Bible Ballistics: BBs #704 Faithfully Standing For ____???
“And when thou prayest,
thou shalt not be
as the hypocrites are:
for they love to pray
standing in the synagogues
and in the corners of the streets,
that they may be seen
of men.
Verily I say unto you,
They have their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest,
enter into thy closet,
and when thou hast shut thy door,
pray to thy Father
which is in secret;
and thy Father which seeth in secret
shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:5-6
This may seem like an odd continuation of our study of Daniel’s character, but in our last session, I believe we saw this principle in action! Daniel and his friends didn’t whine and complain that they couldn’t “obey”; they didn’t make demands of their “captors”—or if you would, their adversaries—rather they behaved with respect toward those who were over them and went to God with their plight! How about you and me? Now, don’t misunderstand me, there is nothing wrong with public prayer that lifts others and calls our hearts to join in praise, adoration, and petition for those in need (even ourselves), but we are talking about taking our issues before God rather than men! Why? Because if it is God that we truly know and serve, then He should always be our first source of help! OH, that I could learn to do this better and continually! For, you see, we have something that Daniel and his friends didn’t have, the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide, teach and support us—God in us and with us continually, the very promise of the New Covenant! Jesus’ own promise to His followers—even us!
“These things have I spoken unto you,
being yet present with you.
26 But the Comforter,
which is the Holy Ghost,
whom the Father will send
in my name,
he shall
teach you all things,
and bring
all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said
unto you.” John 14:25-26
Now don’t presume on this promise—it is not a promise for instant “knowledge” or “wisdom” from God, but Jesus said that His Holy Spirit would bring things to our “REmembrance”; but if you haven’t taken the time to “member” God’s Word and know His ways by study, exercising truth, and applying it to your life, you won’t have anything to “REmember”! I love what the author of Hebrews proclaims to God’s children—we have a King and we have been given the privilege to come to HIM who is on the throne—boldly! Not presumptuously, but as a little child who knows “my daddy” can take care of anything! Where are you running to when you are in need? Won’t you stand with me and join Daniel in staying before that amazing and wonderful throne of God! He is always ‘right’, and ‘right here’ when we will avail ourselves of HIS presence!
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest,
that is passed into the heavens,
Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest
which cannot be touched
with the feeling of our infirmities;
but was in all points tempted
like as we are,
yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore
come boldly
unto the throne
of grace,
that we may obtain
mercy,
and find
grace to help
in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16
Now maybe I’m the only one, but I find that my needs are ever present and continual—oh, to be found pursuing HIS presence and supply rather than my own, or the flimsy solutions of the world! That was Daniel’s very way of life, even in his youth. And I praise God for those young friends who encourage my heart that God is still raising up young people who love HIM and are ready to seek, serve and share HIM with others! Let us be faithful to pray for our young people as we encourage them to Bible study and holy living; even as the Apostle Paul encouraged his young protégé, Timothy, to pursue God with courage, and not be stopped short because of his youth!
“For bodily exercise profiteth little:
but godliness is profitable unto all things,
having promise of the life that now is,
and of that which is to come.
9 This is a faithful saying
and worthy of all acceptation.
10 For therefore we both
labour
and suffer reproach,
because we trust in the living God,
who is the Saviour of all men,
specially of those that believe.
11 These things
command and teach.
12 Let no man
despise thy youth;
but be thou an example
of the believers,
in word,
in conversation,
in charity,
in spirit,
in faith,
in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:8-12
And may I just add that Daniel was a perfect example of this kind of godly commitment to faithful seeking, serving and sharing his faith in God; and we’ll begin our look at chapter 2 in our next post, but I do want to share a portion to whet your appetite, to recognize the understanding and wisdom of these young men of faith who found themselves serving a Nebuchadnezzar! How about you? Are you resting in this awesome GOD, or something less? Do you know HIM in all these characteristics?
“Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel
in a night vision.
Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
20 Daniel answered and said,
Blessed be the name of God
for ever and ever:
for wisdom and might
are his:
21 And he changeth
the times and the seasons:
he removeth kings,
and setteth up kings:
he giveth wisdom
unto the wise,
and knowledge
to them that know understanding:
22 He revealeth
the deep and secret things:
he knoweth
what is in the darkness,
and the light
dwelleth with him.
23 I thank thee,
and praise thee,
O thou God of my fathers,
who hast given me wisdom
and might,
and hast made known
unto me now
what we desired of thee:
for thou hast now made known
unto us
the king’s matter.” Daniel 2:19-23
May God encourage your heart today and remind each of us, that no matter what “Nebuchadnezzars” we may live under—God is still KING, and HE still expects us to “quit you like men” and live faithfully like we believe what we profess! God is still on HIS throne—and HE “never says oops”!
Amen and Amen!!!
