Arrogance Humbled

Focus verses: Daniel 4:28-30

Daniel Chapter Four recounts the dream of Nebuchadnezzar, the interpretation by Daniel, and the fulfillment thereof.

The messenger of God came to Nebuchadnezzar in a dream. He told the dream to Daniel, and Daniel interpreted it. He interpreted it faithfully even though he was greatly afraid because of the possible consequences.

In our focus verses, the king is literally patting himself on the back for all the accomplishments of his reign. He is ascribing all the power and glory to himself, not acknowledging that without the assent of God, none of this would have or could have happened.

The self-made man is created by an inferior workman.

When we fail to acknowledge God's power and might in our lives and put ourselves in the place of God, we have committed idolatry. Our God is a jealous God. He will not tolerate being ignored or cast aside. To do so leaves us open to the consequences of our actions.

If we choose to live without acknowledging God and His sovereignty, we are free to do so. But we will spend our lives and our eternities without Him as well. We are fortunate that He is a determined and persistent God who will use every means available to draw us unto Himself.

My sainted grandmother used to say "when God wants to let you know how small you are, He give you your own way." And when we are left to our own resources, we soon find our limitations.

God will be God. He is not willing that any should perish, but He gives us that option. That is the one place where God limits Himself. He will not override your free will. But oh, how foolish it is to use that free will to flout the King of Heaven!

Father, God,

Grant us the grace to see Your will in all our endeavors. Save us from the sin of arrogance, ignoring Your hand in our lives. Give us the wisdom to acknowledge You in all our ways.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.

Nothing New

Focus verses: II Kings 19:20-34

In days of old I planned it, now I have brought it to pass... (v. 25)

This verse gave me much comfort in a time of bitter trial. It let me know that God had this event in mind before it happened.

Because God gave man a free will, many things happen that God would not have ordained. But God is all-knowing and is aware of the bad choices that man will make. Because He is aware, He makes provision for our frailties and turns the evil of this world into eventual good.

That is not to say that He needs the evil in this world to bring about good. He simply redeems the situation from it's evil by using it for good. Joseph told his brothers who sold him into slavery that what they meant for evil, God used for good.

There is nothing new under the sun. The evils man has done in the past will be continued in the future. And the redemption that God has planned will continue as well. Our only hope is in Him and His provision for our well-being. God is never surprised.

Father, God,

Help us to put into perspective the temporal things that seem designed to destroy us. Reassure us that nothing can separate us from Your loving provision.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.

Kings Without Consent

Focus verses: Hosea 8:1-14

God has spelled out the sins of His children. You see, He created man with a free will, and He will not override that freedom. That is the only place where we can limit God. Our free will is a double-edged sword.

If we choose wisely, we can live in God's approval. If we choose wrongly, we reap His disapproval. It's a frightening thought.

They set up kings without my consent; they choose princes without my approval. With their silver and gold they make idols for themselves to their own destruction.

This passage looks like it was written for the United States in these days. We leave God out of our politics and business dealings. We have done so for many years. We set up goals - all based on money in some fashion. Our politicians are not public servants as the early presidents were, but many are seeking self-aggrandizing power. Our businesses are built on greed. The consequences for this behavior are dire.

They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind. The stalk has no head; it will produce no flour.

In Kansas, we know the whirlwind. It's power is terrible, and it's path seems capricious. It is unpredictable. If one comes your way, you can only take shelter and pray. If it hits, you can expect enormous destruction. The hail that frequently accompanies those storms can thresh a field of wheat as it stands so that there is no harvest for the sower.

Do we not see the parallel? When we neglect God, when we put other things ahead of Him, we can only expect negative consequences.

Father, God,

Show us the right paths. Keep us seeking You and Your instructions at all times. We would be faithful, not faithless.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.

A House Divided

Focus verses: 2 Samuel 2:1-10

Life is messy. Even when things are progressing toward fulfilling God's plans, man generally finds a way to complicate the issue.

The nation of Israel had been divided into two nations: Israel and Judah. David was make king over Judah, but God had anointed him to be king over all Israel.

Today's reading encompasses the seven plus years from David's coronation in Judah to his being crowned king of Israel. The passage chronicles a civil war between the house of Saul and David. Filled with treachery murder and revenge, it seems like chaos reigns.

Even when circumstances look bad, God is in control. Our sovereign God gave man free will, so we can mess things up royally, but He will see His plans come to fruition.

David did one thing right. He sought the Lord's counsel before undertaking any actions. He was constantly mindful of God's authority and God's presence. In another place, he is called a man after God's own heart. David sought the heart of God and was content to wait until God brought about His plans.

Father, God,

Imbue us with a hunger for Your heart. Keep us seeking to know You better, to know Your will in all our lives. Grant us the patience to wait upon Your timing, to be content to let You have Your way in our lives.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.

As For Me And My House

Joshua 24:14-18

God is gracious. He gives us multiple opportunities to be faithful to Him.

Joshua speaks to the people to remind them of all the Lord has done for them. Then he challenges them. Choose you this day whom you will serve. But for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Choose! Daily we make choices. They bring us closer to God, or they take us further from God. But we make these choices with the free will God has given us.

God has not created us as automatons or robots. He gave us the ability to make choices. It is up to us to see that those choices take us closer to Him.

In his notes, Nathaniel Hawthorne, author of The Scarlet Letter, wrote "every action carries within itself the seed of its own reward or punishment." And that is true. In scripture it says if you sow the wind, you reap the whirlwind. That's just a way of saying you reap what you sow, more than you sow, later than you sow.

If you sow obedience to God, you reap the rewards of your fidelity to Him. If you are disobedient, you reap the rewards of rebellion.

In my estimation, fidelity is better, serving the Lord is better.

Father, God,

Help us to be faithful to You, to Your commandments, to Your will. Keep our hearts steadfast with on You and obedience to your decrees.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.