A week! It has only been a week since the election, but it seems much longer to me. How are you doing? Are you discouraged? Resigned to our future? Tired already? I have had all these feelings this past week. So, today I want to get better. Let's think about something else!
Think about: lions and fire and the pit. I was just reading about Daniel. His incredible stand for the Lord under extreme difficulty. And about Joseph whose own family tried to kill him. How easy it would have been for these two men to let the obstacles define and destroy them.
In the story of Joseph, God taught him humility in an almost devastating situation. God taught him to be totally dependent on Him, as everything was taken from Joseph, even his beautiful coat. What got Joseph through? He had no where else to turn. I believe God sometimes puts us or allows us to be put in extreme circumstances to see where we will put our trust. In Joseph's life we see that much later, after years of trials and blessings, Joseph emerged as a strong, mighty and gracious leader for God.
The story of Daniel is such a familiar, triumphant encouragement for us today. His resolve and trust in God was certainly put to the test. In captivity, the young, strong men of Israel were given extreme challenges. First, they refused to eat the rich, forbidden food of the king and got stronger anyway. Then three of the men were thrown into the fiery furnace and emerged triumphant, beating the heat! Not only did they survive, but they didn't even smell like smoke ! (I love that detail!). The attacks continued, culminating in Daniel being thrown into a den of hungry lions. Again, God delivered the faithful Daniel!
How are the lions around you today? Hungry? Do you feel you are about to be consumed or at least gnawed on? Is it a fire surrounding you? Is it getting warm? Do doubts seem like little sparks on the smoldering embers? We are not consumed yet. Let's refuse to feed the fire today. Throw the cool water of God's Word on it!
Then, how about your family? Like Joseph, are we arrogant about our beautiful coat? Are we dreaming in the corner? Is there jealousy simmering on the back burner of our situation? Or is God preparing us for another great thing? Does dependence on God need to be our only source of pride? These questions are hard ones for me. I am no spiritual giant, but I am sure of where I need to get my answers.
Let's remember these two mighty men of the Old Testament today. Let their examples encourage us to let God shut our lions' mouths, protect us from the fire and deliver us from the evil plots of men! After all, our God is mightier than them all!
"When Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him because he had trusted in his God." Daniel 6:23
"The Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did." Genesis 39:23
Pray:
Mighty God, go before us today, defending us against all forms of attack and encourage us with the way you will provide all we need.
Amen
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