Paul wanted to know for himself the power of the Savior’s grace. He trusted in His power to save even him, who had persecuted the church of Christ. In his estimation no treasure could equal the value of the gift of the knowledge of Christ
Will you take some time just now to know Jesus for yourself? John 17:3 tells us it is eternal life to know Him. Jesus knows just what you are like and yet He calls you friend. His adopted child. Jesus will not turn you away. He is waiting for you just now. In your own words, your own way, let Him know you are His and ask Him to take over all those things you can’t control.
When the sins of Jesus washed red, your sins washed white.
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Everyone who hears this should also say, “Come!” All who are thirsty may come; they can have the water of life as a free gift if they want it. (Rev 22:17)
And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (2 Cor 5:18)
all things are of God
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who first gave to Him, and it will be repaid to him? For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things; to Him be glory forever! Amen. (Rom 11:33-36)
God brings us back to himself (reconciles us) by blotting out our sins (see also Eph 2:13-18) and making us right with him. When we trust in Christ, we are no longer God’s enemies, or strangers or foreigners to him. Because we have been reconciled to God, we have the privilege of encouraging others to do the same, and thus we are those who have the “task of reconciling people to him.”
But now in Christ Jesus you who were once afar off are made near by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, He making us both one, and He has broken down the middle wall of partition between us, having abolished in His flesh the enmity (the Law of commandments contained in ordinances) so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, making peace between them; and so that He might reconcile both to God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity in Himself. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off, and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. (Eph 2:13-18)
All things in providence are of God. ‘We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose’ (Rom 8:28). ‘For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever’ (Rom 11:36). Every event of providence is ordered and ruled according to the sovereign will of our God. The thoughts of men and the actions of men, good and bad, angels and demons, the path of every grain of dust on a windy day and the path of the whirlwind — everything in this universe is absolutely under the control and direction of God’s sovereign providence. Nothing happens by accident. Our great God, in his sovereign majesty, rules everything with as much case as if there were nothing to rule.
With undisturbed serenity, God rules! Because God rules all things, we know that all things will be so ruled of God as to bring about the spiritual and eternal good of all who trust him and all things will be to the praise of his glory, ‘According to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will’ (Eph 1:11). Because God is totally, absolutely, universally sovereign in providence, we know that his purpose will be accomplished and his promises will all be fulfilled. Anything less than a totally sovereign God cannot be confidently trusted.
All things are of God in salvation. ‘Salvation is of the Lord’ John 2:9). ‘By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God’ (Eph 2:8). ‘Of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord’ (1 Cor 1:30-31).
Grace, redemption, regeneration, sanctification, preservation, resurrection and glorification are works of God alone. God gave us life. God gave us faith. God gave us a new heart and a new will by revealing Christ in us. We ‘are kept by the power of God’ (1 Pet 1:5).
We worship and trust and love the one true and living God, who is sovereign in creation, sovereign in providence and sovereign in salvation.
In the contemplation of Christ we linger on the shore of a love that is measureless. We endeavor to tell of this love, and language fails us. We consider His life on earth, His sacrifice for us, His work in heaven as our advocate, and the mansions He is preparing for those who love Him, and we can only exclaim, O the height and depth of the love of Christ! “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” 1John 4:10; 1John 3:1. {AA 333.3}
In every true disciple this love, like sacred fire, burns on the altar of the heart. It was on the earth that the love of God was revealed through Christ. It is on the earth that His children are to reflect this love through blameless lives. Thus sinners will be led to the cross to behold the Lamb of God. {AA 334.1}
God brings us back to himself (reconciles us) by blotting out our sins (see also Eph 2:13-18) and making us right with him. When we trust in Christ, we are no longer God’s enemies, or strangers or foreigners to him. Because we have been reconciled to God, we have the privilege of encouraging others to do the same, and thus we are those who have the “task of reconciling people to him.”
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Rom 5:10
The love that caused Christ to die is the same love that sends the Holy Spirit to live in us and guide us every day. The power that raised Christ from the dead is the same power that saved you and is available to you in your daily life. Be assured that, having begun a life with Christ, you have a reserve of power and love to call on each day for help to meet every challenge or trial. You can pray for God’s power and love as you need it.
Some have learned to see in the lowly Nazarene whom their forefathers rejected and crucified, the true Messiah of Israel. As their minds have grasped the significance of the familiar prophecies so long obscured by tradition and misinterpretation, their hearts have been filled with gratitude to God for the unspeakable gift He bestows upon every human being who chooses to accept Christ as a personal Saviour. {AA 379.3}
It is to this class that Isaiah referred in his prophecy,
“A remnant shall be saved.”
From Paul’s day to the present time, God by His Holy Spirit has been calling after the Jew as well as the Gentile.
“There is no respect of persons with God,” declared Paul.
The apostle regarded himself as “debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians,” as well as to the Jews; but he never lost sight of the decided advantages possessed by the Jews over others, “chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.” “The gospel,” he declared, “is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”
It is of this gospel of Christ, equally efficacious for Jew and Gentile, that Paul in his epistle to the Romans declared he was not ashamed. {AA 380.1}
Timothy once stated
I charge you before God (who makes all things alive) and in the sight of Christ Jesus (who witnessed the good confession to Pontius Pilate), that you keep the commandment without spot and without blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Tim 6:13-14)
In the immediate context, Paul was exhorting Timothy to avoid empty religious argumentation (1 Tim 6:3-5) and the greed of materialism (1 Tim 6:6-10). Timothy was to remain faithful to Christ until He appeared again. Thus, Paul was encouraging Timothy to focus on the return of Christ, not on temporal gain. The imminent return of Christ should be a motive for godly living (2 Pet 3:10-16; 1 John 2:28).
This “good confession” made by Christ in front of Pilate was equivalent to the “good profession” (1Tim 6:12—same Greek word) made by Timothy before many hostile witnesses. So with our own profession of faith (compare Mat 10:32; Rom 10:9; 1 John 4:15).
This is why Jesus said
Then everyone who shall confess Me before other people, I will confess them before My Father who is in Heaven.(Mat 10:32)
In the closing proclamation of the gospel, when special work is to be done for classes of people hitherto neglected, God expects His messengers to take particular interest in the Jewish people whom they find in all parts of the earth. As the Old Testament Scriptures are blended with the New in an explanation of Jehovah’s eternal purpose, this will be to many of the Jews as the dawn of a new creation, the resurrection of the soul. As they see the Christ of the gospel dispensation portrayed in the pages of the Old Testament Scriptures, and perceive how clearly the New Testament explains the Old, their slumbering faculties will be aroused, and they will recognize Christ as the Savior of the world. Many will by faith receive Christ as their Redeemer. To them will be fulfilled the words, “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” John 1:12. {AA 381.1}
A patchwork religion is not of the least value with God. He requires the whole heart. No part of it is to be reserved for the development of hereditary or cultivated tendencies to evil. To be harsh, to be severe, too self-important, selfish, to look out for one’s own selfish interest and yet be zealous that others shall deal unselfishly is a religion which is an abomination to God. Many have just such an experience daily, but it is a misrepresentation of the character of Christ {6BC 1101.6}
Before I knew Jesus I had suffered serious burns to 50% of my body. I became an addict, and I felt lost and alone and crippled from the burns and other injuries. One night I was lying in my hospital bed, crying loudly. I was afraid. Everyone thought I was going to die. Most of the nurses could not handle coming around me because I was a handful and I guess I looked like Frankenstein. But at shift change a different nurse came into my room and when she saw what was going on she just took my hand and said “David, I am going to stay right here with you until you are not afraid.” And I was asleep in just a few minutes.
That nurse had an amazing quality of goodness and compassion to her character that really stood out from all the other staff. She did not say a word about Bible, church, or any other such things. Over a period of years after that night, I would sometimes meet people who had a similar quality to their character as did that nurse. I remember saying to myself “I don’t know what these kind of people have, but whatever it is I want that too.” At one point I met some Adventists in Calgary, and again they had a similar character of hopefulness and compassion as did that precious nurse so many years ago and so I eventually gave my heart to Jesus and asked Him to be both Savior and Lord.
Some 25 years later I found myself back in the small Ontario town where I was burned and I decided to see if there was an Adventist Church there. Sure enough there was. Can you guess who was greeting visitors there that day as they entered the sanctuary? YES! It was that nurse! We both just burst out crying and after a bit, she said
“Oh David, are you a Christian now or did you just walk in off the street?”
And all I could say was BOTH! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Pure religion is an imitation of Christ. A religion that is built on self-confidence and selfishness is worthless. The true Christian is a follower of Christ. This following means walking in the light. The heart must be opened to receive the heavenly guest. As long as the heart is closed against His entrance, there can be in it no abiding peace. No sunshine can flood the chambers of the soul temple, breaking through the mist and cloud. {6BC 1101.2}
There is a special mountaintop experience I had a while ago. It was related to one of my favorite Bible verses.
“They that wait upon the Lord will mount up with wings as Eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” (Isa 40:31)
water
The Lord gave me a personal illustration of this verse from the top of a mountain I had climbed one summer. The amazing thing about this experience was that I am a very strong person. I try to stay in good shape. Yet the winds from that storm were so strong that even I was hanging on to the rocks for dear life. For fear of being blown away over the edge. That is a pretty severe storm when one is on top of a mountain.
There I was at the top. I was looking out over the edge to the valley below. It was obscured by storm clouds in some spots. I could not see very much detail. Then, I saw something moving through the storm clouds into the sunlight above them, where I was. It was a great bald Eagle rising effortlessly through the dark stormy clouds into the light above.
I noticed something very peculiar about that eagle. He had his wings spread all the way out, and he was not moving his wings even a little bit. He was expending very little to no effort to rise above this storm. Why? Simply because he was born with the secret that he could actually harness the sheer power of that storm to rise above it. That amazing eagle used the power and strength of the storm to rise above it and into the beautiful sunlight above.
According to this and to our opening text, our self-centered, straining, driving efforts will never accomplish the work that God has given each of us to do. We can never do anything “for” God in our own strength. But in His strength, we do all things “with” God. God will use our storms as the path to the strength we will need to rise above them, and into the sunlight of His presence above.
As Paul stated it in Phil 4:19:
my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
The eagle of the Alps is sometimes beaten down by the tempest into the narrow defiles of the mountains. Storm clouds shut in this mighty bird of the forest, their dark masses separating her from the sunny heights where she has made her home. Her efforts to escape seem fruitless. She dashes to and fro, beating the air with her strong wings, and waking the mountain echoes with her cries. At length, with a note of triumph, she darts upward, and, piercing the clouds, is once more in the clear sunlight, with the darkness and tempest far beneath. So we may be surrounded with difficulties, discouragement, and darkness. Falsehood, calamity, injustice, shut us in. There are clouds that we cannot dispel. We battle with circumstances in vain. There is one, and but one, way of escape. The mists and fogs cling to the earth; beyond the clouds God’s light is shining. Into the sunlight of His presence we may rise on the wings of faith. {Ed 118.2}
Like the mighty Eagle, only God Himself who works without any strain, and who never overworks, can do the things He has assigned to His sons and daughters in their daily pilgrimage. (John 1:12) When we restfully trust in Jesus to do it, it will always be well done, and completely done. The way to let Jesus Himself do it, the way to let Jesus do His work through us, is to partake of Jesus so fully, by faith, that Jesus more than fills our life.
God admonishes us in Phil 2:12
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
Notice here, Paul is encouraging us to develop and work out our salvation, but not to work for our salvation. We can only “work out” what Jesus puts in. That’s why, in the next verse we are told
for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (Phil 2:13)
The Psalmist puts it this way:
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Psalms 119:11)
God’s Word is “is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalms 119:105)
God will put something in you, only if you are willing to “work it out” (Phil 2:12)
“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. (Jer 31:3)
This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. (Heb 8:10)
If our heart is not changed, following God’s rules will be unpleasant and difficult. We will rebel against being told how to live. The Holy Spirit, however, gives us new desires, helping us want to obey God (see Philippians 2:12-13). With a new heart, we find that serving God is our greatest joy. What God puts in us, we work out to others in our life paths.
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. ” (Col 2:6-7)
Like the mighty eagle of the Alps, it is no effort to harness the strength of our storms to rise above them into the sunlight of His presence, because God has put something in us to work it out. To help us rise above it for we can do nothing of our own selves!
Once we realize this secret of rest in Christ, we will have the experience of coming to Jesus, and drinking of that “water of life” and we will never be thirsty again. Our new motto will then be “not overwork, but overflow.”
This overflow has made all the difference in my life. There is no effort in overflow. It is quietly irresistible. It is the normal life of omnipotent and ceaseless accomplishment into which Christ invites us today and always.
but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14)
Many spiritual functions parallel physical functions. As our bodies hunger and thirst, so do our souls. But our souls need spiritual food and water. The woman at the well confused the two kinds of water, perhaps because no one had ever talked with her about her spiritual hunger and thirst before. We would not think of depriving our bodies of food and water when they hunger or thirst. Why then should we deprive our souls? The living Word, Jesus Christ, and the written Word of God, can satisfy our hungry and thirsty souls to the point where it overflows into the lives of all whom God sets in our path.
We all must seek to have an indwelling Savior, who will be to us as a well of water, springing up into everlasting life. The water of life flowing from the heart always waters the hearts of others.
The water that Christ referred to was the revelation of His grace in His Word where God makes every provision for us.
“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” (Psalms 119:105)
His Spirit, His teaching, is as a satisfying fountain to every soul.
God’s holy, educating Spirit is in His word. A light, a new and precious light, shines forth from every page. Truth is there revealed, and words and sentences are made bright and appropriate for the occasion, as the voice of God speaking to the soul. {COL 132.2}
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. (Isa 55:10-11)
All of us dream and make plans for the future. Then we work hard to see those dreams and plans come true. But to make the most of life, we must include God’s plan in our plans. He alone knows what is best for us; he alone can fulfill his purpose for us and in us.
As you make plans and dream dreams, talk with God about them.
“The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” (Psalms 138:8)
For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end; (Heb 3:14)
this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he hears us: (1 John 5:14)
In Christ is fullness of joy forevermore. Christ’s gracious presence in His Word is ever speaking to the soul, representing Him as the well of living water to refresh our thirsting. It is our privilege to have a living, abiding Savior. He is the source of spiritual power implanted within us, and His influence will flow forth in words and actions, refreshing all within the sphere of our influence, begetting in them desires and aspirations for strength and purity, for holiness and peace, and for that joy which brings with it no sorrow. This is the result of an indwelling Savior. Not overwork, but overflow.
whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Cor 10:31)
do the dishes
1/ If you don’t do a good job then you might be a hypocrite
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. Mat 23:25-26)
2/ Cooking utensils should be washed after the meal
The clay pot the meat is cooked in must be broken; but if it is cooked in a bronze pot, the pot is to be scoured and rinsed with water. (Lev 6:28)
3/ If you do a good job then your example may be something that will illustrate or glorify God’s work
I will stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab. I will wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down. (2 Kings 21:13)
Jesus condemned the Pharisees and religious leaders for outwardly appearing upright and holy but inwardly remaining full of corruption and greed. Living our Christianity merely as a show for others is like washing only the outside of a cup. When we are clean on the inside, our cleanliness on the outside won’t be a sham.
The rebuke of Christ to the Pharisees is applicable to those who have lost from the heart their first love. A cold, legal religion can never lead souls to Christ; for it is a loveless, Christless religion. When fastings and prayers are practiced in a self-justifying spirit, they are abominable to God. The solemn assembly for worship, the round of religious ceremonies, the external humiliation, the imposed sacrifice, all proclaim to the world the testimony that the doer of these things considers themselves as righteous. These things call attention to the observer of rigorous duties, saying, This person is entitled to heaven. But it is all a deception. Works will not buy for us an entrance into heaven. The one great offering that has been made is ample for all who will believe {5BC 1098.5}
So men! Do the dishes! And do them right! Love can begin in the kitchen!
I no longer call you servants, because servants don’t know what their master is doing. But now I call you friends, because I have told you everything that my Father told me. (John 15:15, ERV)
Wow! Jesus calls ME Friend!
Good Morning God.
This morning I am struck with amazement. Gratitude.
Who on earth am I that you are even mindful of me when I call? That you hear me? When I call? And every time too?
This morning, I rejoice that I am a friend of God! How Jesus would want to love me is so amazing! Jesus calls ME His friend! I am a friend of God! Jesus wants to make ME salt and Light, drawing others to His infinite heart of love, mercy, and grace. Its so amazing! I am a friend of God! Jesus calls ME His friend!
At the cross, Jesus loved me and brought ME back to Him!
I will be lifted up from the earth. When that happens, I will draw all people to myself.” (John 12:32, ERV)
“The LORD alone led him; no foreign god was with him.” (Deut 32:12)
Christ alone
The hill was steep, but cheered along the way
By converse sweet, I mounted on the thought
That so it might be till the height was reached;
But suddenly a narrow winding path
Appeared, and then the Master said, ’’My child,
Here thou wilt safest walk with Me alone.’’
“I trembled, yet my heart’s deep trust replied,
’so be it, Lord.’’ He took my feeble hand
In His, accepting thus my will to yield Him
All, and to find all in Him.
One long, dark moment,
And no friend I saw, save Jesus only.
“But oh! so tenderly He led me on
And up, and spoke to me such words of cheer,
Such secret whisperings of His wondrous love,
That soon I told Him all my grief and fear,
And leaned on His strong arm confidingly.
“And then I found my footsteps quickened,
And light ineffable, the rugged way
Illumined, such light as only can be seen
In close companionship with God.
“A little while, and we shall meet again
The loved and lost; but in the rapturous joy
Of greetings, such as here we cannot know,
And happy song, and heavenly embraces,
And tender recollections rushing back
Of pilgrim life, methinks one memory
More dear and sacred than the rest, shall rise,
“And we who gather in the golden streets,
Shall oft be stirred to speak with grateful love
Of that dark day when Jesus bade us climb
Some narrow steep, leaning on Him alone.”
Moses gives particular instances of God’s kindness and concern for them. The eagle’s care for her young is a beautiful emblem of Christ’s love, who came between Divine justice and our guilty souls, and bare our sins in his own body on the tree. And by the preached gospel, and the influences of the Holy Spirit, He stirs up and prevails upon sinners to leave Satan’s bondage. In Deut 32:13, Deut 32:14, are emblems of the conquest believers have over their spiritual enemies, sin, Satan, and the world, in and through Christ. Also of their safety and triumph in him; of their happy frames of soul, when they are above the world, and the things of it. This will be the blessed case of all God’s children today.
Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.(Psalms 84:5-6, NIV)
“living waters”
In Bible times, the pilgrimage to the Temple passed through the barren Valley of Weeping. No specific valley has been definitively identified. But “Baca” properly means “dry valley.” The “weeping” may have been a symbolic reference to the times of struggles and tears through which people must pass on their way to meet God.
To experience God’s comfort. Growing strong in God’s presence is often preceded by a journey through the terror and barren places in our lives. The person who loves to spend time with God will see his or her adversity as an opportunity to experience God’s faithfulness even more deeply. If you are walking through your own Dry Valley, The Valley of Weeping today, be sure your pilgrimage leads toward God, not away from Him.
Comfort does not come to us who may be happy and hopeful and experiencing no disappointment. As mere mortals we must sometimes wander into the “depths” before we can experience the most precious of God’s gifts – comfort. This experience in receiving comfort from God Himself is what prepares us to be co-workers together WITH HIM. Not “for Him” but with Him.
The night time of our experiences may be fearful, unwanted even, yet night is necessary in the physical world, because sun and light are sure to follow. Similarly, when the needed night time of our lives gathers threateningly over the garden of our souls, when the leaves close up, and the flowers no longer hold any sunlight within their beautiful petals, there shall never be wanting. For even in the thickest darkness. The most frightening clouds, there will be drops of morning dew which cannot fall except that the sun goes down.
In our opening text for today, the phrase “whose heart is set on pilgrimage” refers those who make their way to the God, not out of obligation, but out of a wellspring of joy. Out of the express anticipation of God’s comfort. God’s guidance. The Valley of Baca, or “Valley of Weeping,” refers to the various difficulties that one might face on a pilgrimage. The person on a pilgrimage might discover that the once-dark, dry valley is filled with springs, rain, and pools—all signs of God’s blessing. From strength to strength. From glory to glory. (2 Cor 3:18) As we journey nearer to God, the rigors of the journey, the tortuous path of the dry valley become tolerable. For the joy of our approaching arrival strengthens the soul.
We, God’s sons and daughters are on a pilgrimage to the Heavenly City. We may have to pass through many a valley of weeping, and many a thirsty desert; and fearful dark, thick clouds, but wells of salvation shall be opened for us, and consolations sent for their support. Those that press forward in their Christian course and in divine providence, shall find God add grace to their graces. And those who grow in grace, shall be perfect in glory.
grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! (2 Pet 3:18, NIV)
It was Jesus Himself who said that it is eternal life to know Him (John 17:3)
Peter concludes this brief letter as he began,(2 Pet 3:18)urging his readers to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; that is, they were to get to know him better and better. This is the best way to discern false teaching. By knowing Jesus. No matter where we are in our spiritual journey, no matter how mature we are in our faith, the sinful world, our own dry dark experiences will always challenge our faith. We all still have much room for growth. (Rom 3:23) Every day we need to draw closer to Christ so that we will be prepared to stand for truth in any and all circumstances.
Friends, growing strong in God’s presence is often preceded by a journey through many barren places in our lives. The person who loves to spend time with God will see his or her adversity as an opportunity to experience God’s faithfulness even more deeply. To see God’s promises become alive and living right in their own Dry valley. If you are walking through your personal Valley of Weeping today, be sure your pilgrimage leads toward God, not away from him.
Jesus said: “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” (John 4:10)
“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (John 7:38)
And when we are done our pilgrimage through the Dry Valley, Jesus promises
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'” (Rev 7:17)
God will provide for his children’s needs in their eternal home where there will be no hunger, thirst, or pain, and he will wipe away all tears. When you are suffering or torn apart by sorrow, take comfort in this promise of complete protection and relief.
All who have been faithful through the ages are singing before God’s throne. Their tribulations and sorrows are over. No more tears for sin, for all sins are forgiven; no more tears for suffering, for all suffering is over; no more tears for death, for all believers have been resurrected (1 Thes 4:15-17) to die no more.
Those whom the Lamb shall lead by the fountains of living waters, and from whose eyes He shall wipe away all tears, will be those now receiving the knowledge and understanding revealed in the Bible, the Word of God. {7BC 970.8}
We are to copy no human being. There is no human being wise enough to be our criterion. We are to look to the man Christ Jesus, who is complete in the perfection of righteousness and holiness. He is the author and finisher of our faith. He is the pattern man. His experience is the measure of the experience that we are to gain. His character is our model. Let us, then, take our minds off the perplexities and the difficulties of this life, and fix them on Him, that by beholding we may be changed into His likeness. We may behold Christ to good purpose. We may safely look to Him; for He is all-wise. As we look to Him and think of Him, He will be formed within, the hope of glory. {7BC 970.9}
They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. (Psalms 36:8-9)
God Himself “will swallow up death forever, And the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces; The rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken.” (Isa 25:8)
And it will be said in that day: “Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the LORD; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” (Isa 25:9)
“…he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29)
our neighbor
Any human being who needs our sympathy and our kind efforts is our neighbor. The suffering and destitute of all classes are our neighbors; and when their wants are brought to our knowledge, it is our duty to relieve them as far as possible. By this parable our duty to our fellow mankind is forever settled. We are to care for every case of suffering and to look upon ourselves as God’s agents to relieve the needy to the very uttermost of our ability. We are to be laborers together with God.
There are some who manifest great affection for their relatives, for their friends and favorites, who yet fail to be kind and considerate to those who need tender sympathy, who need kindness and love. With earnest hearts let us inquire, Who is my neighbor? Our neighbors are not merely our associates and special friends; they are not simply those who belong to our church, or who think as we do. Our neighbors are the whole human family. We are to do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. We are to give to the world an exhibition of what it means to carry out the law of God. We are to love God supremely and our neighbor as ourselves. {WM 45.2-3}
In all the work you are given, do the best you can. Work as though you are working for the Lord, not any earthly master. (Col 3:23,ERV)
Since the Creation, God has given us work to do. If we could regard our work as an act of worship or service to God, such an attitude would take some of the drudgery and boredom out of it. We could work without complaining or resentment if we would treat our job problems as the cost of discipleship.
As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. (John 9:4, NIV)
Think of our Lord Jesus being under the necessity of working:
“I must work.” (John 9:4)
Some people say that the word “must” in the verse is “just for the king;” but here is the King of kings declaring that the work is, by the most urgent necessity, laid upon Him. In return will not you, beloved brethren and sisters in Christ, come under this same divine necessity? Why would we not feel that we also must be doing all we can with and for our Divine Lord and Master?
Christ cured many who were blind by disease or accident; here he cured one born blind. Thus he showed his power to help in the most desperate cases, and the work of his grace upon the souls of sinners, which gives sight to those blind by nature. This poor man could not see Christ, but Christ saw him. And if we know or apprehend anything of Christ, it is because we were first known of him.
A lot of people do not have the “I must Work” mind set. I recently encountered a young lady passed out in the hot sun and the cement sidewalk at a drive through fast food place. Her legs were actually resting on the pavement where cars were driving through. Everyone just kept driving past her, ignoring her completely! I was shocked to see so many people do that. But I thanked God that I got there when I did and was able to give her the help she needed.
“As long as I am in the world,” Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” Then having anointed the eyes of the blind man, He sent him to wash in the pool of Siloam, and the man’s sight was restored. Thus Jesus answered the question of the disciples in a practical way, as He usually answered questions put to Him from curiosity. The disciples were not called upon to discuss the question as to who had sinned or had not sinned, but to understand the power and mercy of God in giving sight to the blind. It was evident that there was no healing virtue in the clay, or in the pool wherein the blind man was sent to wash, but that the virtue was in Christ. {DA 471.4}
“Dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy…(Jude 1:17-23)
Although they were to build themselves up, and to pray in the Holy Ghost, and keep themselves in the love of God, yet this building, praying, and keeping, cannot merit heaven; for, after all their diligence, earnestness, self-denial, watching, obedience, etc., they must look for the Mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ, to bring them to Eternal Life.
Don’t be like all those who drove past that young lady in acute distress and then try to justify yourself by calling yourself a “christian.” Jesus won’t accept such hypocrisy. As Jude says: “Keep yourselves in the main current of God’s love. Build your character after the likeness of Christ. Pray in the Holy Spirit; keep at the open door/window of hope in Christ.
Remember that at one time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Eph 2:12-13)
It seems that a special revelation was needed to teach people about God’s love. Nature alone cannot teach it, because of its uniformity; Providence alone cannot, because of its perplexity; Judaism could not, because of the sternness of its law; and heathenism could not, because of its coarse polytheistic and sensual associations.
The difficulty of receiving it lies in our own natures, enfeebled and degraded by sin. Our consciousness of sin makes us think God unloving, just as the erring child thinks the father cruel, and the faithless person with the one talent thought their master hard and unjust. As revealed, the love of God is no mere statement; it is an exhibited love, exhibited in a recovering purpose, in a priceless gift, in a mysterious sacrifice. But, as revealed, it needs appropriation by us. When appropriated it becomes a power to change our spirit and our life. It changes our views of God, life, duty, eternity, etc. We see all in the light of “crucified love.”
In our earthly life we know the help and the joy of keeping in the love of mother, wife, or friend. It must be more helpful and more blessed to keep in the love of God. To lose the light of God’s love is more—far more—than losing the sunlight off the flowers. How shall we keep ourselves in the love of God?
Cherish every loving thought of God that may be suggested to you.
Walk in righteousness, and you will ever be in the smiles of the love.
Watch over all your opportunities of heart-fellowship with Christ, for friendship needs communion.
Cultivate the child-spirit. Illustrate by our Lord putting the child in the midst of the people. No doubting in the child-heart. But can this counsel apply to all, “keep in the love”? Do we all believe the love which God hath unto us? Are any living on in sin, because they do not believe the love? Have you felt how God’s love to sinners shines forth from Calvary? I beseech you then, Come into the love, that we may be able to say also unto you, “Keep yourselves in the love of God.”
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. (Eccl 9:10, NIV)
In His ministry, Jesus would often reveal the total sinfulness of “every nation, tongue, tribe, and people,” and yet, Jesus offers His salvation to all. Only Jesus breaks down the walls of prejudice, reconciles all believers to God, and unifies us in one body. No matter who we are, we are only “one in Christ” because of the cross. (Gal 6:14). There is nothing for us without Christ and his cross. Jesus has paved us a new and living way to the throne of God’s grace by his own most precious blood.
O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. Psalms 105:1-2.
God blesses each day
The dealings of God with His people should be often repeated. How frequently were the waymarks set up by the Lord in His dealings with ancient Israel! Lest they should forget the history of the past, He commanded Moses to frame these events into song, that parents might teach them to their children.
They were to gather up memorials and to lay them up in sight. Special pains were taken to preserve them, that when the children should inquire concerning these things, the whole story might be repeated. Thus the providential dealings and the marked goodness and mercy of God in His care and deliverance of His people were kept in mind. We are exhorted to “call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions” (Heb 10:32).
For His people in this generation the Lord has wrought as a wonder-working God. We need often to recount God’s goodness and to praise Him for His wonderful works.
Let us not cast away our confidence, but have firm assurance, firmer than ever before.
“Hitherto hath the Lord helped us,” and He will help us to the end (1 Sam 7:12).
Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. (Heb 10:35)
Let us look to the monumental pillars, reminders of what the Lord has done to comfort us and to save us from the hand of the destroyer. Let us keep fresh in our memory all the tender mercies that God has shown us-the tears He has wiped away, the pains He has soothed, the anxieties removed, the fears dispelled, the wants supplied, the blessings bestowed-thus strengthening ourselves for all that is before us through the remainder of our pilgrimage.
We cannot but look forward to new perplexities in the coming conflict, but we may look on what is past as well as on what is to come, and say,
“Hitherto has the Lord helped us.”
“As thy days, so shall thy strength be” (Deut 33:25).
The trial will not exceed the strength that shall be given us to bear it. Then let us take up our work just where we find it, believing that whatever may come, strength proportionate to the trial will be given.
In reviewing our past history, having traveled over every step of advance to our present standing, I can say, Praise God! As I see what the Lord has wrought, I am filled with astonishment, and with confidence in Christ as leader. We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history.{LDE 72.1}
“So don’t lose the courage that you had in the past. Your courage will be rewarded richly. You must be patient. After you have done what God wants, you will get what he promised you. He says, “Very soon now, the one who is coming will come and will not be late.” (Heb 10:35-37, ERV)
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. (1 Pet 4:12-13)
fiery trials
At the time I am putting together this message, it seems like the areas all around me are on fire here in Northern Alberta. Perhaps, because I had 50% of my body burned in a house fire, it all effects me differently than it does for most people. But I can’t imagine anyone not being concerned. One thing I learned from my personal experience is how we can draw life lessons from all such tragedies. I am reminded of one news story in particular where a lady led some other hikers out of the back country to safety from the fires. The courage, resilience, and heroism of people comes to the forefront in all of this fire and disaster we face. It gives us hope to carry on. To rebuild. And I like to think that God has a hand in that.
The love of Christ is not a fitful feeling, but a living principle, which is to be made manifest as an abiding power in the heart. If the character and deportment of the shepherd is an exemplification of the truth they advocate, the Lord will set the seal of His approval to the work. The shepherd and the flock will become one, united by their common hope in Christ. {AA 516.1}
Like Daniel and his friends of old, God’s people can pray the following prayer:
“I have suffered much. Preserve my life Lord. According to your Word. My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.” (Psalms 119:107,112)
Centuries ago. Not far from the present city of Bagdad,a mighty Behemoth was seen rising on the horizon of an ancient Babylonian plains called Dura. From this site, our message for today unfolds, a story of intrigue, conspiracy, drama and excitement. These events of the past point to another statue that is rising on the 21st century plains of Dura. From the book of Daniel, the story I am about to portray has a deep, figurative significance. And very real implications for this our day and age. In The Book of Heaven, the prophetic Scripture foreshadows a future episode in the history of our planet. A time of envy and religious bigotry, a day when we may be personally tried by fire.
The scene takes place in the land of Iraq. The site of the ancient city of Babylon. Three actors walk across the stage. They face a fierce confrontation with a mighty monarch. An invincible general who never lost a battle. The heroes of the story are three Jewish youth whose master was King Nebuchadnezzar. Thirteen times their names ring out in this chapter. Sounding like the pealing of a mighty bell. Shadrach Meshack and Abednigo.
But today’s message is much more than just a children’s story. Today, we are discussing the revelation of God’s power to deliver his servants who put their trust in him.
The Book of Heaven says in Daniel 3:1
“Nebuchadnezzar,the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits and the bread thereof six cubits. He set it up in the plains of Durah in the province of Babylon.”
Twenty years before, in the second chapter of Daniel Nebuchadnezzar was given a powerful lesson through Daniel’s interpretation of his dream. So impressed was he that he declared
“Of a truth. It is that your God is a God of gods and a Lord of Kings and a revealer of secrets. Seeing you could reveal this secret.” (Dan 2:47)
In his dream, he had seen a mighty image with a head of gold. Arms and breastplates of silver. Thighs of brass. Legs of iron. Feet of iron mixed with clay. The image was a vivid representation, depicting the panorama of history yet to be. Each section of the image here represented a phase in the sweep of human history. The head of the image represented Babylon. The king had been pleased by Daniel’s words when he said, thou art this head of gold. (Daniel 2:38).
It was the remainder of the interpretation of the dream that bothered him. More and more, he became increasingly resentful of the words “After thee shall rise another.” Nebuchadnezzar decided that the dream needed to be reinterpreted. He decided to rewrite the prophecy. Daniel’s interpretation was to be set aside, to make room for his new theology.
Like many people today, Nebuchadnezzar decided to make God’s word fit his interests. Rather than to direct his life in conformity with the living word, he would make an image somewhat similar to the one he had seen in his dream. His image, however, would be a supposed improvement. It would not have feet of clay. It would not deteriorate in value from the head to the feet. It would be entirely of gold, suggesting that his kingdom would stand forever!
What would it cost to plate an image this side, this size, with pure gold? It didn’t matter. Pagans were often more generous with their religions than are many Christians today. We all know professing Christians who are miserly and give grudgingly to the cause of God. This monarch lavished an immense amount of wealth in creating his colossal image. The Chaldeans had never before produced anything so imposing and majestic as this resplendent statue. It was visible for miles around its gold plated surface. Blinding people’s eyes as the sun struck it. Nebuchadnezzar, the king, invited all the very important people in the then known world for the inauguration of his golden statue.
When the king said, come, people came by the thousands. He had no trouble drawing a large crowd. A herald cries aloud to you. It is commanded to all people, nations and languages. (Daniel 3:4) But no one can command or coerce worship. Certain things cannot be forced. You can’t command love, and you can’t command faith. I guess we can command performance. We can decide to pretend. But real worship is more than performance. Its not a show. It comes from the deep instincts of life. From the very soul of the worshipper. It’s more than standing up at the right time and bowing down at the right time. It’s more than bowing down in the direction of Mecca or Jerusalem or the rising of the sun. It’s more than cutting the throat of a lamb.
What was the message of the heralds?
Let’s read it there in Daniel 3:5
“at the time ye hear the sound of the cornet, the flute, the harp, the sultry, the dulcimer and all kinds of music, you fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up. Listen to the royal symphony orchestra of Babylon. Or listen to the music that comes from God. Heavenly music belongs to the angels. The soul of the Christian overflows in gratitude and worship in strains of heavenly music.
Lucifer, one of heaven’s greatest musicians, fell from grace and from loyalty to God. In his fall, he has desecrated God’s beautiful gift. His off beat music is a prostitution of God’s gift. And to day it forms a background to permissiveness, darkness, folly and sin. It has become a part of the drug culture and many other horrible things.
The next verse says:
“and whoso falls not down and worships shall at the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace”
Now this is compelling language. How could any one differ with a despot, who could back up his arguments with a burning fiery furnace, or with a threat to cut you to pieces and make your house of dunghill?
All the people bowed down?
No, no, not quite. All the princes and the potentates of his world wide dominion gathered around the image, and they bowed down. But three men stood tall, ignoring the music, ignoring the dazzling image. Only they had the courage to be different. How conspicuous to be standing when every one else was bowing down. Three young men had learned from the history of their fathers, that disobedience to god results in dishonor, disaster and death, and that the fear of the lord is the beginning of the wisdom, the foundation of all true prosperity. They had been tested before. They had broken the laws of the court when they refused the king’s wine and the flesh. They had passed the test when at the end of their ten days of trial themselves, their countenance appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all of the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat. (Daniel 1:15) Having stood firm for the right before they were made bolder to face a more terrible ordeal, these three despised persons of the Jewish race couldn’t be coerced by the then master of the world.
Going back now to Daniel, the third chapter, verse eight:
“Wherefore, at that time, CERTAIN Chaldeans came near and accused the Jews.”
The word translated accused literally means ate to pieces. A metaphor of fierce devouring malice.
“Oh Mother! Johnny didn’t have his eyes closed during prayer” sister Mary complained. “Well, how did you notice if your eyes were closed?” asked Mother.
CERTAIN CHALDEANS?
Though they were supposed to bow down to the ground, somehow they noticed that three people remained standing? Evidently, they weren’t concentrating on their worship of the golden image either! Twenty years before, the prayer of these three men had saved their lives when king Nebuchadnezzar had pronounced a death sentence upon them. Smooth murderers as they were. They were now stabbing their delivers in the back. These jealous predators rejoice in pointing to these CERTAIN Hebrews. The foreigners these slaves imported from Judea now showing their sheer insubordination, their dark and heinous ingratitude. Certainly, their disloyalty deserves a severe consequence?
How did the king react? Just as they hoped? He would. He was in a fit of rage. He was furious. He was livid. He was out of control, intoxicated with power. He could not brook disobedience or contradiction, let his expressed authority be resisted on however good grounds. And he exhibits his weakness flying into a passion of rage, ruler of the world. He was not equal to the more difficult task of ruling his own spirit. Nebuchadnezzar calls the three young people on the carpet. Is it true Shadrac, Meshak and Abednigo, that ye did not serve my gods nor worship the golden image which I have set up? He asks in disbelief. Can it be true that in this whole empire, there’s any one who dares to dispute my word or disobey my commandment? And of all people to defy him was his three favorites guilty of such? After all, Nebuchadnezzar was their despotic lord. Their employer. Their benefactor. Their friend. It was in their interest to please him. In his hands, rested their liberties and their lives. If they would prosper, they must earn his smile.
The 16th verse, Shadrack Meshak and Abednigo answered the king and said to the king:
“Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. The translation transmits an inaccurate idea. The word careful here means full of care. They answered carefully, but they weren’t anxious about the answer. They knew exactly what they were going to say. They did not deliberate. There was no hesitation. They were so calm and collected that they did not talk to him as king, but rather as Nebuchadnezzar, the man. It was a man to man conversation. In essence, they were saying, it’s not for us to answer you. There is another that will do that. They threw the onus unto God himself.
What grand language. What a noble resolve. What a marvellous example of faith in the living God. They rested their case with him more than 100 years earlier. The prophet Isaiah had penned the promise, when you pass through the waters, I will be with thee. When you walk through the fire, thou shalt not be burned. Neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. (Isaiah 43:2) Wrapped in such a promise, they could give their witness. Confidently never had any one spoken to him as these men did facing the threat of the burning fiery furnace. They had no excuses to offer, no fancy discourses, just a plain and simple avowal of loyalty to God. And they made it grandly with no sign of flurry or fluster.
They showed the very calmness and dignity that Nebuchadnezzar lacked. They had just talked to God Almighty. And when humans see the face of God, they’re not intimidated by the face of any person, no matter how important that person may be. They had been brought up to obey the ten commandments. They could repeat them by memory. Thou shalt not make unto thee any grave and image. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them nor serve them. Exodus twenty verse four,the ten commandments are not negotiable,king or no king mandate or no mandate custom or no custom, furnace or no furnace,we will not bow down. They didn’t parley
with iniquity.
Now, in verse nineteen, Nebuchadnezzar is full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshak and Abednigo. Therefore he spake and commanded that they should heat the furnace seven times more than it was normally supposed to be heated. Dressed in their trousers, shirts and mantles and turbans,they were picked up,and like living logs, they were hurled into the blazing furnace. The fire was so hot that the Book of Heaven says that the flame killed those men who took up Shadrak Meshak in Abednego (Daniel 32:2) Into the fire they went. And the king thought that he had put an end to the matter. But when man has done his worst, God can still do His best and lovingly add a final chapter.
And what a chapter it was. In his theory, Nebuchadenezzar had challenged Jehovah by saying, who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? (Daniel 2:15), but he did not realize the power he was opposing in a matter of minutes, this autocratic king got the revelation of his life. He saw the God that he had defied walking in the fire with his faithful servants.
And now Daniel 3:24-25 – Then Nebuchadnezzar, the king, was astonished and arose up in haste and spake and said unto his counsellors,did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, true o king. He answered and said, lo, I see four men loose walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt. And the form of the 4th is like the Son of God. Here we have what theologians call a theophane,a pre incarnate appearance of the Son of God. He had come down to walk with Enoch. He had visited Abraham and talked with Moses from the burning bush. Now he came to walk with Shadrach, Meshak and Abednego in the fire to the Lord. Fire is nothing to God. He is the lord of heat and cold. For Jesus, and by extension to the three men cast into the furnace, that furnace was as comfortable as the Garden of Eden.
Those living coals were as soft as silk to walk upon the fire couldn’t singe a single hair of their heads. They came out of the fire without even the smell of smoke. How did the king know what the Son of God looked like here? The Hebrew captives filling the positions of trust in Babylon had in life and character represented before him the truth they had told him, of Christ the redeemer to come. And in the form of the 4th, in the midst of the fire, the king recognized the Son of God.
Now, the great colossus faded into insignificance. The authority and the importance of king Nebuchadnezzar was completely forgotten. Nebuchadnezzar descended from the throne, and going to the mouth of the furnace, cried out “ye servants of the most high God. Come forth and come hither. (Dan 3:26) Then Shadrach, Meshak and Abednego came forth before the vast multitude showing themselves unhurt. The presence of their Savior had guarded them from harm. And only their fetters had been burned!
All the multitudes who came from far and near to admire and worship the great image which had been set up with such foul pomp! Had there attention directed to the God of Heaven. The king gave his testimony,blessed, be the god of Shadrach, Meshack and Abednigo who hath sent his angel and delivered his servants that trusted in him. Dan 3:28, the king made a public confession, seeking to exalt the god of heaven above all other gods. It was a position that he would soon forget. Now, he repeated his mistake. Human beings don’t learn easily. He made a new decree trying to enforce the Hebrew religion.
It is on this very point that prophecy reveals that human despots will repeat. The mistake of the ancient king. Religion is not something that can be enforced. When those in authority attempt to legislate human conscience, they always raise the ugly head of persecution. That day on the Plain of Dura, two invisible Powers met head on, the power of earthly ambition, inspired by the prince of darkness and the power of love, as revealed in the lives of men dedicated to truth and righteousness.
The Book of Revelation tells of another image that will soon be raised in the final days of the history of this earth as we know it. It’s called an image to the beast. Rev 13:15 It’s another behemoth on the 21st century Plain of Durah it’s already standing, waiting for it’s appointed time, demanding the worship of the multitudes. It’s an image to the beast in that many of its teachings and doctrines are identical. In order to honor this image, it will be necessary to disregard the ten commandments. Once again, we face the test.
And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Rev 13:7-8)
We are told that God’s servants will be given over to suffer humiliation and abuse at the hands of those who, inspired by Satan are filled with envy and religious bigotry. Especially will the wrath of the disobedient be aroused against those who obey God’s commandments. Bible prophecy declares at last, and a universal decree will denounce those people as deserving of death. In earth’s final days before Jesus comes back again, God will have a people with a resolve to bear all consequences rather than to worship the idol of the hour as will be mandated by society. Defiance to the world’s threatenings from the burning embers of that fiery furnace by Shadrach Meshhak and Abednigo speak to each one of us today. Like Abel’s blood crying out from the ground, (Gen 4:10) their voices will cry out: “be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.” (Eph 6:10)
There will be a day when the question gets asked: CHRISTIAN! CAN YOU BURN?” What will our answer be? Whatever the future holds, burn Christians, if it comes to that, but never turn from the right way. Die, but never deny the truth. May God help each one of us to have that kind of courage.
John Chrysostom was one of the great Greek Church pioneers. Born in 347 AD. He was brought before the emperor at an early age to answer for his faith. The emperor said: “if you persist in being a Christian,I will banish you from your father’s land.” Chrysostom calmly replied “your majesty. You can’t do that. The whole world is my father’s land.” “Well, then I’ll take away all your property said the emperor. “No, you can’t do that either. My treasures are in heaven.” “Well, then I’ll send you to a place where there will not be one friend to speak to you.” “You can’t do that. For I have a friend that sticks closer than a brother. And I shall have my brother Jesus Christ with me.” Then Ill just take away your life” said the Emperor. “You can’t do that either. My life is hid with Christ in God” Chrysostom replied.
I included above in this message a picture of me and the burns I sustained in that house fire years ago. That picture is taken from 2 years after the initial burns that I suffered. I should not have lived through all that terror. 32 surgeries over 7 years. If anyone had a reason to doubt God, could it be me? I am forever grateful for the heroic kindness of a few good people back then who lifted me up until I could stand again on my own. After all that I suffered, I still say with belief and confidence that I LOVE JESUS.
That was not blind obstinacy. It was the faith of Jesus! The faith of Jesus will characterize the last witnesses of God’s true church on earth when times get really brutal again. Whatever you might face in the future, no matter how terrifying the experience,you need not face it alone. The same friend who walked with the three Hebrews in the fiery furnace, the same Friend who was with me in the flames, will walk with you, through it all.
Will you join me now in prayer:
Dear Father of us all. Please, bless us to day as we go through the Christian pilgrimage, through the blistering, burning wilderness of this world, may we be strong and true. Help us to follow you all the way, in spite of trials or temptations. Help everyone who is hearing my voice to be a recipient of the crown of life that is promised to those who are faithful to the end. We ask these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.
