Bible Ballistics: BBs #777 Really Knowing God???
I would like to share a few examples from God’s Word today that I pray will help us see what confidence in God really looks like. Two of my favorite Bible examples of purity, integrity and knowledge of God are Daniel, (an amazing young man, who had a confidence in God based on his knowledge, and apparent experience trusting in The God Almighty that he had walked with for some time, even though he was just in his late teens or at the most, early twenties when the account we’ll look at took place) and Hannah, the mother of Samuel, who also exhibited a great faith and faithfulness to Almighty God!
I pray that this will be an encouragement and help to you, for it is imperative that our confidence is based on the truth of God’s Word—the written Word and the Living Word, Jesus—which we can, we must, choose to stand on. Paul reminds us of our part in developing this kind of relationship with our God and Lord Jesus, through the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit.
“Study to shew thyself
approved unto God,
a workman
that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun
profane and vain babblings:
for they will increase
unto more ungodliness.” 2 Timothy 2:15-16
We must pursue God and HIS Word to be able to recognize and avoid the “profane and…vain” things that Satan uses to lure us into sin and stumbling. And one of the things that I believe that Daniel and Hannah knew without a doubt, is that we must choose to believe truth, not the lies. And believe you me, there are lots of lies floating all around us, for Satan is the great “father of lies” (See John 8:44), and he is always dangling them in front of us, like a carrot to lead the donkey! We can choose to build our house on the sand of lies, or the Rock of truth; it’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test! If we’ll choose to dig into God’s Word, we can be confident and secure in HIS truth!
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable
for doctrine,
for reproof,
for correction,
for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God
may be perfect,
thoroughly furnished
unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
God’s Word is what prepares, equips, and reveals (to ourself and others) who and what we are as we live by the power of God daily so that others see Jesus in our lives in all we do and say. Daniel was a great example of this.
This young man was taken captive by a foreign, pagan king and moved far from home, yet he made the decision to be faithful to his God regardless of the outcome! When confronted with a threat of death, Daniel and his friends sought God’s help in prayer to reveal the King’s dream. While we won’t look at the entire story today (you can read Daniel chapter 2 and see the whole scene play out) I do want us to see Daniel’s understanding of WHO was in charge, even in this situation that threatened death—BUT GOD! Oh, praise you Father, Son and Holy Spirit for the truth of “BUT GOD”; you have been so faithful to me, and I pray that my life may ever reflect Your work and power!
“Then Daniel went to his house,
and made the thing known
to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
his companions:
18 That they would desire mercies
of the God of heaven
concerning this secret;
that Daniel and his fellows
should not perish with the rest
of the wise men of Babylon.
19 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 2:17-23
WOW!!! Is God good, or what? GOD is so faithful to “all who call upon HIS name”! (See Deuteronomy 4:7). Daniel and his friends not only had their prayers answered but as you read the rest of the story, the answer brought not only deliverance from the ‘death sentence’, but Daniel and his friends were promoted to positions of prominence in the Kingdom of Babylon. All because they had decided to trust their God in all things! What about you and me? What are we “not” trusting God for? Why not? If we belong to Jesus, we have the privilege of coming into HIS presence with not only our love and adoration (which Daniel did in response to answered prayer, we can learn from his example) but with our burdens, our grief, our sorrow, our needs (real or perceived), our fears, and our uncertainties—God is never unavailable, too busy, asleep, nor does HE ever say “oops”!
“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 4:15-16
Oh my, if we could just remember this regularly! We can come to our Father, Our Lord Jesus, always in confidence, not arrogance or presumption, but in confidence that HE knows how we feel. Jesus walked this earth with all its pain, sorrow, temptation, grief, and meanness, but HE did it without sin and then died willingly that we could live victorious lives of confidence in HIM—the risen LORD—victor over sin, death, and hell!!! Don’t forget this truth. Hannah didn’t—and she was simply looking forward in faith to the coming Messiah!
“So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk.
Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD.
10 And she was in bitterness of soul,
and prayed unto the LORD,
and wept sore.
11 And she vowed a vow, and said,
O LORD of hosts,
if thou wilt indeed look
on the affliction of thine handmaid,
and remember me,
and not forget thine handmaid,
but wilt give unto thine handmaid
a man child,
then I will give him unto the LORD
all the days of his life,
and there shall no razor
come upon his head.
12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying
before the LORD,
that Eli marked her mouth.
13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart;
only her lips moved,
but her voice was not heard:
therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
14 And Eli said unto her,
How long wilt thou be drunken?
put away thy wine from thee.” 1 Samuel 1:9-14
Now most of this is for background, but I want us to note that sometimes when we are doing right, others will not see it for what it really is! Yet Hannah spoke up for truth!
“And Hannah answered and said,
No, my lord,
I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit:
I have drunk neither wine
nor strong drink,
but have poured out my soul
before the LORD.
16 Count not thine handmaid
for a daughter of Belial:
for out of the abundance
of my complaint
and grief
have I spoken hitherto.
17 Then Eli answered and said,
Go in peace:
and the God of Israel grant thee
thy petition that thou hast asked
of him.
18 And she said,
Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight.
So the woman went her way,
and did eat,
and her countenance
was no more sad.” 1 Samuel 1:15-18
Hannah was blessed and knew that she had honored God and answered Eli truthfully, also, that he believed her and blessed her desire. We won’t look at the rest except for Hannah’s prayer, much like Daniel’s, that praised and honored God for His faithful provision. For Daniel, it was deliverance from death, for Hannah, it was the provision of life—the life of a Son, whom she had promised to God and did in fact return Samuel to God’s service at the proper time. How amazing that this precious woman knew her God so well. Her prayer became scripture—what will our prayers write in our future. Let’s pray on—we serve a God who hears and answers prayer!!! In HIS way, and in HIS time!
“And Hannah prayed, and said,
My heart rejoiceth in the LORD,
mine horn is exalted in the LORD:
my mouth is enlarged
over mine enemies;
because I rejoice
in thy salvation.
2 There is none holy
as the LORD:
for there is none
beside thee:
neither is there any rock
like our God.
3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly;
let not arrogancy
come out of your mouth:
for the LORD
is a God of knowledge,
and by him
actions are weighed.
4 The bows of the mighty men
are broken,
and they that stumbled
are girded with strength.
5 They that were full
have hired out themselves for bread;
and they that were hungry
ceased:
so that the barren
hath born seven;
and she that hath many children
is waxed feeble.
6 The LORD killeth,
and maketh alive:
he bringeth down to the grave,
and bringeth up.
7 The LORD maketh poor,
and maketh rich:
he bringeth low,
and lifteth up.
8 He raiseth up the poor
out of the dust,
and lifteth up the beggar
from the dunghill,
to set them among princes,
and to make them
inherit the throne of glory:
for the pillars of the earth
are the LORD’S,
and he hath set the world
upon them.
9 He will keep
the feet of his saints,
and the wicked
shall be silent in darkness;
for by strength
shall no man prevail.
10 The adversaries of the LORD
shall be broken to pieces;
out of heaven
shall he thunder upon them:
the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth;
and he shall give strength unto his king,
and exalt the horn of his anointed.” 1 Samuel 2:1-10
I pray that this will bring hope, confidence and a truly encouraging word for you today. I know some are grieving, some are wondering which direction to take, others are running from God so hard that you are out of breath; so, take a minute and listen to the voice of God speaking to your heart!
“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying,
This is the way,
walk ye in it,
when ye turn to the right hand,
and when ye turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21
Remember, Jesus has this! God has this, and if you are HIS, HE’s got YOU!!! I believe—do you?
“But ye believe not,
because ye are not of my sheep,
as I said unto you.
27 My sheep hear my voice,
and I know them,
and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life;
and they shall never perish,
neither shall any man
pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father,
which gave them me,
is greater than all;
and no man is able to pluck them
out of my Father’s hand.
30 I and my Father
are one.” John 10:26-30
Amen and Amen!!!
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