Tag: Faith

No Compromise

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When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.

Daniel 6:10 (ESV)

There is a lot to think and meditate on in this moment from Daniel 6. As I was reading through the story in Daniel 4-6, I was encouraged by the faithfulness and steadfastness of Daniel in these times of extreme pressure and hardship. In these three chapters, there were three different kings and they each continually forgot about Daniel. Each time he was brought before one of the kings he had to “prove” himself over again to the new king. There was extreme danger in this, yet the consistent theme of the story is that Daniel is the one constant. He was at his core, just a humble and faithful servant of the Most High God. His outward character shined as a bright light in the darkness of these kingly courts and was fueled by his steadfast practice of seeking the presence of the Lord on a consistent and intentional basis.

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Relational Faith

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Philemon 13–14 (ESV)

I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, [14] but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord.

I love this sincere honesty that comes from Paul as he writes to Philemon. He has a desire to have Onesimus stay with him as a faithful servant because not only is Onesimus helpful and faithful to him, but there is a heart connection with him. Paul sees his usefulness during this imprisonment on both a physical and heart level. There is some emotional connection there. So even though he desires to keep Onesimus with him to help in his time of need, he knows that the proper action is to send him back to Philemon, who Onesimus is a bondservant. Even though Paul can justify this action in his mind and to others, he doesn’t want to compel Philemon to be backed into a corner where he doesn’t really have any option but to do as Paul requires. Paul takes the position of not compelling Philemon to do as he asked, but to appeal to Philemon to give freely toward the need Paul has during his imprisonment.

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Effective Confirmation

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for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

1 Corinthians 16:9 (ESV)

What I find fascinating about the Apostle Paul is that his view of this life and the world around us is oftentimes counterintuitive to how I view life as I journey through my time in this world. In this verse from 1 Corinthians 16:9, Paul changes his established plans and commitments because the Lord had opened a door for effective ministry, and he was seeing the visible fruits increasing and multiplying. This time of ministry was so effective that he understood that he needed to drop all other plans to focus on where the Spirit was moving at the moment. This I understand. What is challenging to me is that the proof of the Spirit’s work and the effectiveness of the ministry were confirmed by the presence of adversaries. Paul was excited about the adversaries. The presence of those speaking out and working against this ministry work confirmed to Paul that the work of the Holy Spirit was truly being poured out, and he could not leave during this critical moment.

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Faith Proceeding

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But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

Romans 14:23 (ESV)

Honestly, I have mixed feelings about the book of Romans. On the one hand, I find it so incredibly helpful in understanding the truths of the gospel and how to integrate faith into life. Yet, there are some statements and ideas that trouble me. These statements trouble me because they are like a double-edged sword, piercing my very heart and soul. Romans 14:23 is one of these statements. In this long passage concerning his admonition that we should care for the faith of others by being mindful of our freedom in Christ being lived out before others. It is a section on humbling ourselves before others and using our freedom in Christ to encourage and lift others up and not lead them into temptation and sin. It is the last sentence in this section that troubles my heart. “For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.”

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Work of Art

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Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.

John 9:3 (ESV)

As Jesus and his disciples are walking, Jesus saw a man who had been blind since birth and he focused his attention on this man. This man who was an outcast of the community, someone who was ignored or pitied at most, becomes the focal point of attention in the life of Jesus. The disciples obviously noticed the attention of Jesus being focused on this man and asked the question that was at the forefront of everyone’s mind. They wanted to know who had sinned (this man or his parents) that he would be resigned to a life of begging and hardship. The disciples wanted to know the causal effect that brought this man into the world blind. The question is not a bad question, but the assumption made in the question are what Jesus brings to light. The assumption is that either this man or his parents had surely sinned and offended the Holy God to receive such a poor state in this life. The answer Jesus gives is somewhat staggering to their ears (and to modern ears). Neither the man nor his parents sinned. It was not a punishment that this man was born blind. The answer is that this man was born blind so that the works of God might be displayed in him. This man was a piece of art designed, conceived, and birthed by the Creator of the universe for a special purpose… to display the works of God!

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Refreshed Hearts

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For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.

Philemon 7 (ESV)

This is a tremendous testimony from Paul about the outworking of the Holy Spirit in the life of one man. A man that was known for his love and faith toward Jesus and all the saints. Paul is in prison and has only heard stories about the love and faith of Philemon. Here is a man whose reputation preceded him and his godly character went before him. His character and reputation was such that even though Paul had never met him in person, he felt as though he knew him through the testimonies of those who had been refreshed by Philemon. It’s a lovely picture of love and faith. A picture that needs to be not only admired and commended, but replicated in our own hearts.

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Forever House

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Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 23:6 (ESV)

In this final verse, the Psalmist has moved from first talking about the Lord, then talking to the Lord, and now this last verse comes full circle as he speaks words of assurance and promise to himself. After five verses of describing the presence of the Shepherd Lord leading and caring for his sheep and the Psalmist in particular, the Psalmist summarizes all he has spoken of by reminding himself of the steadfast love of the Lord for his children. The goodness and mercy of the Lord will be with him all the days of his life and when this life is finished, the Psalmist will be in the presence of the Lord as he dwells with him in heaven above. The paths of righteousness that the Shepherd is leading him will take him through both the mountain tops and the valley lows. He will lead him through the brightness of day and the shadow of deep darkness. In every step along the path, the goodness and mercy of Christ is there all the days of his life. And when the path is completed and the time has come to enter the destination, the Psalmist reveals that he will be in the house of the Lord forever – for days without end!

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Paths of Righteousness

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He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Psalm 23:3b (ESV)

After having led me beside still waters and revitalizing my life, the Good Shepherd now continues his leading of my life by bringing me into paths of righteousness. The Shepherd provides for my every need. He is concerned for my rest and refreshment. He cares for my soul. It is in this well-cared-for state of contentment in the good provision of my loving Shepherd that I am now able to walk the paths of righteousness. These paths of righteousness are designed to make me like Jesus each and every day. These paths are character-building opportunities designed to teach, mold, and shape me to better reflect and point people back to the Good Shepherd. It is all for the namesake of Jesus.

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Turned Heart

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And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice

1 Kings 11:9 (ESV)

I have always been fascinated by the life of David and the continual references throughout the Bible to his faithful trust in the Lord and the steadfast hope of his heart. David was by no means a perfect person who followed the Lord without sin, but he is continually referenced as the standard of having a heart that was wholly true to the Lord his God. David for me is the reference point for how to lead a life of humility that keeps coming before the Lord in repentance and faith. So when Solomon is presented in the story, there is an expectation and a hope that he will follow in the footsteps of David and lead with a heart wholly true to the Lord. What we see is that Solomon was blessed beyond measure in success, wisdom, and peace. Solomon was lacking no earthly blessing in his life. He was even blessed to have the Lord himself appear to him not once, but twice. Solomon was given everything that we ask for ourselves. He is a picture of me.

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Striking Jesus

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When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?”

John 18:22 (ESV)

As I was reading through the Gospel of John chapter 18 this morning for my devotional, I became intrigued with this interaction of the High Priest officers with Jesus. On this side of the cross it is quite a shocking statement to read that a man, any man, would actually strike Jesus for something he said. Here is the one and only Son of God standing before the High Priest, the representative of the whole of the priesthood and Jewish religion, being questioned directly about his statements and teachings. The very ones who are tasked with ensuring that the worship of God is performed in a correct manner and the law of God is taught to the people. These are the ones who are questioning the bodily fulfillment of all that they represent and protect. Here is the man they have been hoping and waiting for these many long years. And when it finally comes to the critical point, there is only hatred and disbelief. This officer, whose duty it was to protect the High Priest and defend his office and role, struck Jesus for what he perceived as disrespectful talk to their leader. The One they were worshipping was standing before them, and they took offense at him and struck him.

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