Bible Ballistics: BBs #192 LIFE Matters—All LIFE Matters!!!

As we hear all the talk around us about “Black lives matter”, “White lives matter”, now “Blue lives matter”, I think we have missed the point — “LIFE” matters because it’s a gift from God! God gave us life, regardless of what the world may say! We are not a ‘chance’ of evolution, or a ‘product’ of the Big Bang! We are created in the image of God, and only the ‘breath of God’ gives life to any and all mankind.

“And God said,

       Let us make man in our image,

       after our likeness:

              and let them have dominion

                      over the fish of the sea,

                      and over the fowl of the air,

                      and over the cattle,

                      and over all the earth,

                      and over every creeping thing

                             that creepeth upon the earth.

27 So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God created he him;

male and female created he them. ”   Genesis 1:26-27

Scripture clearly declares that God created us in HIS image—not to look like Him– but to be a triune creation, with not only an earthly body, but also a mind, heart and soul. We also know that we only have “life” by the breath of God.

“And

the Lord God formed man

of the dust of the ground,

and breathed into his nostrils

the breath of life;

and man became a living soul.”  Genesis 2:7

GOD Almighty ‘formed’ man, and ‘breathed’ into man “the breath of life”—breath without which, no one has “life”! And mankind, each and every man, woman, boy and girl receives ‘life’ from God. Even with all man’s technology they can’t give ‘life’!!! Only God can, and only by the ‘breath of life’, which God gives, does anyone become a “living soul”!!! All life comes from GOD!!! And that goes for “All the little children of the world”! “Red, and yellow, black and white, they are precious in HIS sight”! God validated that value when He freely sent His Son to pay for our sin that we might have “eternal life”, instead of “eternal death” in hell, which we all deserve. Scripture clearly proclaims:

“….for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God….” Romans 3:23

“…the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord”….” Romans 6:23 All because:

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son

into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned:

but he that believeth not is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” John 3:16-19

God gave man life!!! We sold that life to Satan (the ruler of this world since man sinned by choosing to believing the lies of Satan instead of the truth of God)! But God already had the plan laid out for our salvation—because human LIFE matters. The God-given life that we each have is worthy of respect and regard. We are called to be kind and forgiving; oh to think what our world would look like if we just practiced a little kindness to one another and especially those of us who believe in and follow Jesus. May we ever be “speaking the truth in love”? The truth of the ‘gospel’, the truth of our coming Lord, the truth that we care about others!!! And our actions often speak louder than our words!

“Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Colossians 4:6

We need to remember that we who belong to Jesus “are the salt of the earth” (See Matthew 5:13)! We live in a world that needs our ‘saltiness’ to counter the corruption!!! But when we abandon the source of our ‘saltiness’, we have nothing to give. And that is partly what is wrong in our world—we who profess the name of Jesus, have failed to walk with Him in all our ways!!! We have chosen to go our own way.

We, as a nation, have rejected God—

We removed Him from the public square–

We have abandoned His Word and it’s truth—

We have denied that life is valuable by aborting our babies–

We have chosen the purse over ‘piety’—

We have chosen convenience over ‘obedience’—

We have denied the value of the aged—

We have neglected the care of our young (those who aren’t aborted)—

We have forsaken personal responsibility for the “blame game”—

We have embraced the “Hollywood” culture of godlessness in every venue—

And what do we have? A culture that has no value for life, no respect for law and order, no comprehension of choices and consequences!!! As we shared in Sunday’s Bible Ballistics, our choices will bring consequences—maybe not today—maybe not tomorrow—but we will “reap what we sow”.

“For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind” Hosea 8:7a

And like Belshazzar, we will reap the consequences in God’s time:

“And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; 23 But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified: 24 Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written.” Daniel 5:22-24

For this king, it was “one day too late”– his fate was sealed! The consequences had come due! What about you? Do you value the right “LIFE”? Have you chosen God’s way? Your own? Hollywood’s? Satan’s or Jesus’ way? There’s only one ‘right WAY’, and His name is JESUS! Choose wisely!

Bible Ballistics: Bold Humility In God’s Power? Vol. 6#17

We have been looking at Daniel, a committed man of God, one who stood fast in the midst of difficulty and in captivity. While we meet Daniel and his friends taking a stand for their faith as captives, they did it with humility and integrity toward the authorities over them. Going on to chapter 2 we find them in the crunch of impending death because of the king who couldn’t remember his dream nor could anyone give it’s interpretation. Once again they respond with confidence and dependence on their God—The Lord God Almighty of the universe–the God of Israel, who heard and answered their prayers for deliverance. God honored their faithfulness by using them (Daniel in particular) to reveal His plan for the ages to the pagan King Nebuchadnezzar.

It’s very likely this dream of a large statue, where Daniel revealed Nebuchadnezzar as ‘the head of gold’, lead to the events of chapter 3 and a ‘statue’ of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar erected and calls all the people to worship. Well of course, our 3 Hebrew children refused to bow and then find themselves before the king, who offers them a second chance to bow; but they hold firm and declare clearly that they will not bow to any other ‘god’ but their God-the creator of the universe. The results: an enraged king’s irate command to throw them into the fire, because “who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?” And Nebuchadnezzar’s question was answered by the God who could deliver them, and did. God met them in the fire, causing the King to have an immediate change of heart toward these men and their God, but not a life-changer yet!

Chapter 4 also involves a dream, and once again we find Daniel interpreting the king’s dream. We saw his heart of compassion and kindness as he delivered a message of judgment. Yet he also had the boldness to call the king to repentance and acknowledgment toward God. And God’s work brings this mighty king to his knees—literally! With what seems to be a permanent change of heart, which brings us to chapter 5.

One thing we must understand is that there have been many years between chapter one and chapter five. What we find as we approach this chapter is an elderly statesman who has served his God in a pagan land for some 70 years; a man who has stood firm for his God, is probably not in a high ranking position like he had during Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, but he is still known in the palace and lives and serves there. So, let’s dig in.

“Belshazzar the king made a great feast

to a thousand of his lords,

and drank wine before the thousand.

2 Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine,

commanded to bring

the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar

had taken out of the temple

which was in Jerusalem;

that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.

3 Then they brought the golden vessels

that were taken

out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem;

and the king,

and his princes,

his wives,

and his concubines,

drank in them.

4 They drank wine,

and praised the gods

of gold,

and of silver,

of brass,

of iron,

of wood,

and of stone.” Daniel 5:1-4

A king throwing a party is one thing, but a king so arrogant that he sends for the ‘treasures’ of the Temple in Jerusalem, the vessels that were used in the worship of Jehovah God, the GOD of Israel. And not only did he send for the vessels, but he sent for them to flaunt his arrogance by drinking in the vessels of the ‘Most High God’ to praise his ‘gods’ of “gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone”—his idols!

“In the same hour

came forth fingers of a man’s hand,

and wrote over against the candlestick

upon the plaister of the wall of the king’s palace:

and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.

6 Then the king’s countenance was changed,

and his thoughts troubled him,

so that the joints of his loins were loosed,

and his knees smote one against another.

7 The king cried aloud

to bring in the astrologers,

the Chaldeans,

and the soothsayers.

And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon,

Whosoever shall read this writing,

and shew me the interpretation thereof,

shall be clothed with scarlet,

and have a chain of gold about his neck,

and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.

8 Then came in all the king’s wise men:

but they could not read the writing,

nor make known to the king

the interpretation thereof.

9 Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled,

and his countenance was changed in him,

and his lords were astonied.” Daniel 5:5-9

From an arrogant, drunken party thrower—to a weak-kneed, trembling, frightened man!! God has a way of accomplishing HIS purpose in amazing ways, and HE will show Himself faithful and sovereign in HIS time. We can be assured of that even today! God has a plan and HE will accomplish HIS purpose, regardless of the party in power—regardless of the treaties signed—regardless of the promises of dishonest politicians. There have always been politicians! There have always been rulers, good and bad! There have always been broken promises and agendas! But our God reigns in TOTAL SOVEREIGNTY! He brought Belshazzar up short, and in His timing He will bring His purposes to fulfillment today—in HIS time! Count on it! He never fails!

Belshazzar is in the midst of a great time of feasting, and celebrating what he thought was his own personal and national invulnerability! Ring any bells? Belshazzar in his fright calls in those infamous ‘wise men’ to no avail, since not one of them could tell him what the handwriting meant. Even with his offer of great wealth and prominence. But then…

“Now the queen by reason of the words of the king and his lords came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed: 11 There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers; 12 Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation.” Daniel 5:10-12

It’s important here that we recognize that this isn’t the king’s ‘wife’, because if we check out the preceding text, his wives were at the party (see verse 2). This would appear to be the king’s grandmother, probably the wife of the deceased king Nebuchadnezzar, what we’d call the ‘Queen Mother’. This woman, after hearing of the hoopla at the party, goes in to see the king and advises him to call for Daniel. She would have come to know and have confidence in the counsel of this man she called by his Hebrew name, Daniel. She recommends Daniel to the king seemingly because she knew he could solve this dilemma. She had lived through all the drama that Nebuchadnezzar had experienced with God and Daniel, and Daniel’s great ability to solve hard things. What kind of confidence do others have in our walk with God? What kind of walk with God do we have, that others might see HIM in us? Do others know we care enough to help with ‘godly’ advise? Do others have confidence in our knowledge of God and His Word?

“Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry? 14 I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee. 15 And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing: 16 And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.” Daniel 5:13-16

Daniel is brought in and the king offers his politically significant rewards to Daniel. The same things that he had offered to the other ‘wise’ men who were unable to reveal the enigma. But we have Daniel, who has still been in the ‘civil service’ corps, and while he has probably not been in a prominent position since the death of King Nebuchadnezzar, when he is called to serve he responds immediately. He comes to be of service—with a different attitude, but one still based on his confidence in God, not man.

“Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation. 18 O thou king,

the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour: 19 And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down. 20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: 21 And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.

22 And thou his son, O Belshazzar,

hast not humbled thine heart,

though thou knewest all this;

23 But hast lifted up thyself against

the Lord of heaven;

and they have brought the vessels of his house

before thee,

and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines,

have drunk wine in them;

and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know:

and the God in whose hand thy breath is,

and whose are all thy ways,

hast thou not glorified:

24 Then was the part of the hand sent from him;

and this writing was written.” Daniel 5:17-24

Daniel reminds the king of all of the things that God had done to reveal Himself to Nebuchadnezzar. He reminds Belshazzar that not only did he know these things, but he also has chosen to ignore the import of God Almighty– by his own choice. He not only ignored God, but also has insulted and defied this very “God in whose hand thy breath is”! Like many today he had chosen to go his own way. He chose to ignore the truth, which God had revealed, and still reveals, to all men, women, boys and girls! We live in a world much like Belshazzar’s—many have chosen to do their own thing with no regard for the God of all creation, even though He has revealed Himself to the world.  This same “God in whose hand thy breath is” waits for YOU!!!

It’s also an amazing thing, to me, that history tells us that while Belshazzar’s confidence is in ‘things’ like the thick walls of 35-80 feet wide (depending on which ancient sources your believe), and on his own ability to withstand the Medo-Persian army which was right outside the walls. It is reported that he had enough goods to hole-up for years! Yet history tells us that the army outside (which he was ignoring by throwing a party) simply diverted a canal that ran through a conduit into the city. They stopped the flood by diversion of the water, and then going through half-empty conduit, they walked right into the city, through only thigh-high water, to conquer the Babylon virtually without resistance in the night. In fact the same night that Daniel speaks his prophecy to the king. The same night that Daniel confronts an arrogant and rebellious king with the truth—no holds barred! There are times when we must let the truth speak for itself, without any coddling or explanation! There is a time when people have gone too far for too long, and their day of mercy and grace has passed. We don’t know when that day is, but God does, and when God sends us to someone in that state, we must simply speak God’s truth in love—saddened but boldly. Daniel declares that the message is from God Himself, and reveals the meaning to the waiting, rebellious king.

“And this is the writing that was written,

Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin.

26 This is the interpretation of the thing:

Mene;

God hath numbered thy kingdom,

and finished it.

27 Tekel;

Thou art weighed in the balances,

and art found wanting.

28 Peres;

Thy kingdom is divided,

and given to the Medes and Persians.

29 Then commanded Belshazzar,

and they clothed Daniel with scarlet,

and put a chain of gold about his neck,

and made a proclamation concerning him,

that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

30 In that night

was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.

31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom,

being about threescore and two years old.” Daniel 5:25-31

What a sad story of eternal consequences for temporal choices. I think we often miss the import of this chapter, writing it off as a cute little children’s story, without taking away the important lessons that we need to learn:

That we can be faithful to God regardless of our circumstances or our age. Daniel was a man of integrity for his entire life—he was probably somewhere around 80 plus years old here, and God wasn’t through with him yet.

That when called to face the foe, we can face them with boldness and speak the truth unapologetically. Our God promised to never leave us or forsake us. And what a wonderful picture Daniel paints of God’s provision to His faithful servants!

That our God is Sovereign and in control, no matter how things look, or how long it may seem to take! God’s timing is perfect!

That there are evil people—always have been, always will be! But there is also a day of accounting coming. Are you ready? Only through Jesus can we be ready–

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Hebrews 9:27-28

“A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” Matthew12:35-36

So?

Will you be a faithful Daniel, no matter where God has placed you?

Or will you be another Belshazzar, making your own way in the world?

Will you do your own thing, no matter what God says?

Will you depend on God, like faithful Daniel,

even when your senses don’t understand what’s going on?

Or will you walk by what you see, rather than what God has said?

Or will you walk by faith in the God of all creation,

and trust Him,

not your feelings or what you think you see?

“(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)…..”    2 Corinthians 5:7

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh……… 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:16 & 25

“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 16:25

Which way are you going? Your way?  Or God’s? It’s your choice, but there are consequences. Choose wisely!!!

 

 

 

 

Bible Ballistics: BBs #191 Not Stressed But Saddened???

What a sad “state” of affairs we have seen in America these last few weeks, and the events of recent days have grieved my heart to the extreme. I just want to call us to PRAY, PRAY, PRAY, PRAY, And PRAY for our nation—for our world! What have we come to when we butcher our law officers, and jail public officials who have a conscience to obey God rather than man? I would never have thought I would see these things in my lifetime.

How did we get here? The same way the old joke says, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!”, we have taken one step after another after another and another and we’re still seemingly marching on to that same drummer with no compunction to avoid or fear what is at the end of that road, or to realize where that road is leading.

A pastor was sharing recently that part of the torment of hell would be the ‘absence of God’. As I heard and pondered that thought, it came to my mind and heart that we are seeing that very principle today. America and the world have rejected the good news of the gospel of salvation, the Word of God, the Son of God and the God of the Son!!! And by that ‘excusing’ of God from our midst what do we see? A world gone amuck –terrorists on every hand –rejection of authority (Partly because we have raised, trained and educated a whole generation who refuse to accept responsibility for their own actions—therefore all actions are acceptable and blame free!)—A world on the verge of anarchy.

Anarchy: a state of disorder due to absence or nonrecognition of authority.

So, why am I belaboring the issue? Because so many seem to be oblivious to where we are, or just don’t care, but I must at least speak and try to awake those who are willing to be ‘awakened’!

“Be astonished,

O ye heavens, at this,

and be horribly afraid,

be ye very desolate, saith the Lord.

13 For my people have committed two evils;

they have forsaken me

the fountain of living waters,

and hewed them out cisterns,

      broken cisterns,

that can hold no water.” Jer. 2:12-13

We ‘earth dwellers’, and especially those who have claimed to know the God of the universe, the creator of all things, and His Son Jesus Christ, have abandoned and forsaken HIS truth for the lies of the enemy.

“But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. 41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. 42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. 46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? 47 He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:40-47

As I am often known to say, “saying so, doesn’t make it so”! Just saying you are a “Christian”, a “Believer”, a person of “Faith”, doesn’t make it so! What makes it so is “being born again” by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, through repentance and faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, for our sin debt!!! (See John 1:11-13 & John 3:3-19) If we know Him, we will have a new heart and peace with God—that means we will be in right relationship with God through Jesus and follow HIM! I believe it is virtually impossible to follow Jesus and reject HIS Word(s)! I CAN NOT truly love Jesus and His Father God and reject His Word or the principles that it proclaims!!! Yes, I said CAN NOT!!! I don’t usually spend this much time sharing my own thoughts but I am compelled by the harm that is barely at bay; to warn us all of the impending danger if we don’t repent and get right with God. And to call genuine believers in Jesus to “stand fast in the evil day”, for we are there!

Are you ready for the onslaught of evil? Are you prepared to pay the price for “standing fast” with Jesus and to His Word? Are you focused on our Lord and God, or on this world and all it’s deceitful pleasures? Are you bothered by the vulgar, the crude, and the immoral things going on around us? Or are you part of the vulgar, the crude and the immoral and excusing it as “OK”? We MUST examine ourselves and ask God to “search my heart” and “lead me in the way everlasting” (See Psalm139:23-24). James sums it up pretty well:

“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands, ye sinners;

and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep:

let your laughter be turned to mourning,

and your joy to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.” James 4:4-10

The choice is yours. Submit yourselves to God or the Devil. But be sure you have checked out the consequences of each choice. The days of the Devil are at hand, are you sure you’re on the right side? We who belong to God will win, but there may be suffering before the victory. Are you ready? You better get ready—the days are at hand!

“It is a faithful saying:

For if we be dead with him,

we shall also live with him:

12 If we suffer,

we shall also reign with him:

if we deny him,

he also will deny us:

13 If we believe not,

yet he abideth faithful:

he cannot deny himself.”   2 Timothy 2:11-13

“Yea,

and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus

shall suffer persecution.

2 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse,

deceiving, and being deceived.”   2 Timothy 3:12-13

Please don’t be deceived and miss Jesus!!!

Bible Ballistics: BBs #190 Too Blessed To Be Stressed???

Some years ago a friend gave me a pin-on button that had this slogan on it, and I thought it was most appropriate, for we are blessed beyond measure. But are we living in the ‘blessing’ or the ‘stressing’? It’s a choice—I can rest in my Father God who holds me in His hands or I can allow the world and it’s allures to run me into a frenzy. How do we choose the blessing instead of the stressing? First and foremost we must keep our focus–“Looking unto Jesus”!

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” Hebrews 12:1-3

I love this passage! It reminds me that the best cure for stress is rehearsing the goodness and faithfulness of our God. The writer of the letter to the ‘Hebrews’ reminds us of this by calling us to take comfort and find assurance for confidence from the testimonies of those who have gone before us trusting and finding God faithful (it’s in the BOOK). He never fails! And, since HE never fails, then I can overcome the world! How? By laying “aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us” and running “with patience the race that is set before us”. Not being run here and there, hither and yon by the call of the “world”, but by “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”. It’s all about HIM not me, and in HIM I find the courage and reassurance to run the race by resting in HIM. Not by laying down on the job, but by having the calm assurance that Jesus has gone before me and my goal is to follow HIS example, “for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame”!!! Jesus endured the cross, He did the will of His Father in this crazy world, and if you’ll examine His life you’ll find that He never rushed—He just keep on doing the will of His Father in HIS timing, not forced into the mold of the world. He endured because He knew this world is certainly NOT ALL THERE IS! And because He overcame and ‘endured’ that cross for me, He is now “set down at the right hand of the throne of God”, and there “he ever liveth to make intercession”. We are not alone when we belong to Jesus!!! YOU are not alone!!! Trust Him! Rest in Him! Look in the word for those others who have walked where you are walking victoriously IN HIM.

There is a special person who trusted in the faithfulness of God in vibrant colors of faith and confidence, and that’s Job. The first time you read through the book of Job, it’s a real chore, it’s not the easiest thing to read, but the more you read it the more you love it, seeing the confident faith of this man that stood fast in the storm. And what a storm! And with such friends! We can all relate to that. Job lost everything in one day, yet look at his response of faithfulness:

“Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. 22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” Job 1:20-22

Job worshipped and blessed the Lord—he chose to remember what he knew– the trustworthiness of his God!! How about us? Are we so “God-reliant” that when the bottom falls out, we know who holds us? When the world seems to be crashing in around us, do we know who controls the outcome? We can stand in confident reliance on the faithful God Almighty.

And we can live with confidence because our dependence is on our God who holds us, not on our ability to hold Him!! He has promised to “never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” And because of that: “we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” (See Hebrews 13:5-6)

So??? We can live in confidence because we are “too blessed to be stressed”!!! Let’s not settle for less than we have in JESUS!!! He can do HIS work in us—He will do HIS work in YOU, if you will but trust HIM in faith. He IS faithful!!!

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

So that we can:“…. hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised😉” Hebrews 10:23

So look up, walk forward knowing that YOU are blessed. Don’t be stressed!!!

Bible Ballistics: An Attitude Of Arrogance??? Vol. 6#16

Daniel is fascinating, and one of my favorite books in all of scripture. It is so practical because of the living example of this faithful man of God, from whom we can learn so much. Daniel lived out his faith in the heat of spiritual warfare. He was in a foreign land, under a captive nation, working for a pagan king, yet doing an outstanding job as the servant of the Most High God. Ingetrity showed in everything that Daniel, and his three friends did. While we didn’t see Daniel in last weeks study, we saw his three friends stand fast, suffer the result of their stand, and consequently experience reward from God and an amazed king. As we continue on to chapter 4 we don’t see any further mention of Shadrach, Meshach nor Abednego but we know they have been faithful servants of God and toward King Nebuchadnezzar.

Much time has elapsed between the episode we looked at last week, and we find Nebuchadnezzar still a ruler of great power but seemingly erratic temper and arrogance.

“Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. 2 I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. 3 How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation. 4 I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace: 5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. 6 Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream. 7 Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.” Daniel 4:1-7

Once again we find Nebuchadnezzar the recipient of a notable and significant dream—a prophetic dream. But let’s not miss some very significant things about this chapter. Look at verse 1—this chapter is written as a personal narrative of King Nebuchadnezzar—a personal declaration to all the world of an experience that the King wants to personally share with the world!!! Whoa??? What’s happened? Last week we saw that Nebuchadnezzar recognized the God of Daniel and His friends as a unique God, a God who could over-ride the king’s edict:

“Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. 29 Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.” Daniel 3:28-29

But here in chapter 4 we find the King with a new attitude. But what brought on this new ‘attitude’ in the King? Let’s read on about the dream that apparently precipitated this change of ‘heart’, a change that has King Nebuchadnezzar acknowledging the work of God in his own life. Whoa? Say what? But again there’s a catch—a dream but no one able to give the interpretation to the King. But…….

“But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my God, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying,” Daniel 4:8

Enter God’s man. Even a pagan King recognized that Daniel had a ‘spirit’ different from all the other “wise men” in his kingdom, so he confidently shares with Daniel the dream.

“O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof. 10 Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great. 11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth: 12 The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it. 13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven; 14 He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches: 15 Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth: 16 Let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him. 17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. 18 This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.” Verses 9-18

We see not only the Kings respect for Daniel, but he knew that Daniel was a man gifted by his God to interpret dreams. While we only have a record of the dream dilemma that Daniel solved in chapter 2, it is likely that Daniel’s gift had been put to use on other occasions that aren’t recorded. At any rate, we find Daniel trusted by the King and he shares his dream of the tree (We’ll look at the specifics later when we see Daniel’s interpretation). But I want us to notice the confidence that he had in Daniel, “but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee”. Daniel had earned the respect and confidence of a pagan King by standing fast for God and doing excellently in all his actions! How do I know that, you might ask? Well, we see later that even his enemies admitted his integrity was impeccable, and they couldn’t accuse him in any matter of his work.

“Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” Daniel 6:4-5

Oh, to have a testimony of such godly integrity, a testimony that even his enemies couldn’t discredit. It didn’t make them like him, but they couldn’t deny his integrity. We’ll see they still sought to have him killed, but they couldn’t escape his integrity, and that was after some 50 years of public service in Babylon. What a difference it would make if we could find some politicians with that kind of integrity!!! But we see something else about Daniel in this encounter, we see his compassion for this pagan king, his deep grief over the judgment of God that is going to come on one that he has served and prayed for all these years.

“Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.” Verse 19

What about us? Would we have jumped and shouted “hotdog”—he’s getting his ‘dues’? Or would we have been broken and grieved like Daniel? Do we care enough for those that oppose us, those who hate us, those who seek our harm, that we are grieved when judgment falls on them? Or do we rejoice? Do we focus so much on the evil around us, that our attitude is more similar to their’s than to God’s? Our call is to exhibit the ‘love’ of God (charity=love) to a world that needs it desperately:

“Charity

suffereth long,

and is kind;

charity envieth not;

charity vaunteth not itself,

is not puffed up,  

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly,

seeketh not her own,

is not easily provoked,

thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity,

but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things,

believeth all things,

hopeth all things,

endureth all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

We have a standard that only Jesus can empower us to meet! But it IS our standard, because Jesus calls us to it. Daniel knew his God, and he knew the love of his God and I think we see that he had extended that compassionate love toward this king who was 180 degrees opposite to him. But Daniel still cared!!! How about you and me? Now, what about that dream?

“The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth; 21 Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation: 22 It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth. 23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him; 24 This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king: 25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. 26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.” Verses 20-26

The Dream and its                                       Interpretation:

 

The tree:                                                 Nebuchadnezzar

Strong

Great

Growing

Supplying needs

Meat for All

High & Visible

 

The Watcher:                                           Decreed from God

       A holy one                                        Upon the King

       From heaven

The Declaration:

      “Cut” it down                                     Be driven from man

       But leave the stump                          Dwell among beasts

       Place a band around it                       Behave like the beasts

       It’s portion with the beasts

       Till seven times pass over                  7 periods (uncertain if years or

                                                              months but set by GOD!)

“till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.”

             Then Restoration/Throne

Daniel has just pronounced a judgment from God upon the King whom he serves. He expresses no glee or satisfaction that judgment has come, but great grief and compassion for this king. And Daniel declares to the king that this judgment will continue until he, the King of Babylon, recognizes and bows before the Almighty God of the universe. Daniel then calls King Nebuchadnezzar to take action to seek the mercy of God and perhaps avoid this grievous judgment.

“Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.” Verse27

But the king’s arrogance superseded his discernment, and he ignored Daniel’s advice. In fact, he so much ignores it that his arrogance becomes even worse. Let’s see:

“All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon. 30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? 31 While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. 32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. 33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.” Verses 28-33

I find it interesting that even “as he spoke” of his own greatness, power and honor, the judgment fell upon him, and that it was 12 months later. How easily we can get caught up in our own ego, our own selfish ways, our own accomplishments and successes—with no regard for the God who gives us breath; who grants us life for each day; with no regard for the sure and sovereign rulership of God Almighty. We live in a world full of arrogance, of self-focused people, of total independence, who take the longsuffering mercy of God as permissiveness. But there is a day too late to change ourselves. And while the king had warning—he ignored it. While the king had one who cared enough to call him to repentance—he ignored it. While the king thought he was a ‘self-made’ king, he found out different. He found out that the God, who truly rules, is able to reveal Himself to men who will receive it, and judge those who don’t’. But even judgment can bring repentance!

“And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: 35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? 36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. 37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.” Verses 34-37

What a change of heart!!! Instead of “out of the mouths of babes”, here we have ‘out of the mouth of the king’—a humbled king. What about us? Are we willing to humble ourselves, or will God have to move in harsh ways to get our attention? To change our heart? To humble us?

Just a few verses to ponder as we close for today:

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” James 4:10

“Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:4

“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 18:14 (be sure and read the context)

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:” 1 Peter 5:6

“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” James 4:6

So the choice is yours! Will you be the exalted arrogant one, or will you humble yourself before God and others, and leave the exalting to God—in His time and in His way? Consider the consequences, the choice is yours, but there is a day of reckoning coming.

“The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.” Isaiah 2:11

“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth

take heed lest he fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12