The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse reading–Daniel 3:1-2, 8-18, 25-29 (day four)

One of my favorite things about camping is sitting around the campfire at night.  Roasting marshmallows…gazing at the stars…fellowshipping with friends and family.  The one downside to the campfire is that all your clothes come back smelling like smoke…there is no avoiding it.  Verse 27 says Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, not only were not burned alive, but their clothes did not even smell like smoke.

Isn’t that just like God?  My first reaction if I faced a situation like this would probably have been, “Lord, save me!”  These men sought first the glory of God!  Their relationship with God was already settled.  He was in control of their lives as well as the world and circumstances around them.  God went far beyond what would have been my initial, feeble cry.  Not only did He save them, but their clothes were not burned and they didn’t even smell like smoke.  God’s glory was demonstrated to an entire nation.  Maybe I need to enlarge my vision of who God is!

Re:Verse reading–Daniel 3:1-2, 8-18, 25-29 (day three)  

“But if not…”  It was no game changer for the three Hebrews that God might not save them from the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.  They had no idea what God would do at that moment, and frankly, they didn’t care.  Babylon hadn’t fooled them into believing it was eternal, so they knew it wasn’t really a threat.  What they did believe was that there was an everlasting kingdom coming that would make Babylon look like an also-ran.  And that‘s where they wanted to live.  The apostle Paul said that this world in its present form is passing away.  Why are you afraid of something that won’t even last?

Re:Verse reading–Daniel 3:1-2, 8-18, 25-29 (day two)  

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. Vs 16

I won’t know what to say. I don’t know enough scripture. I always think of the answer after the argument, but by then it’s too late. Have you ever thought these thoughts when trying to defend your faith? Who hasn’t? There is certainly a time for each of us to become bold apologists for the cause of Christ, and in those moments we can rely on the Holy Spirit to direct our thoughts and words.

What about those other times? Those times when you are speaking to someone with no inclination to open their heart to truth. They are arguing to be heard, or to be right, or to make you look/feel foolish. Perhaps then we should look at Shadrach, Meshach, and Abenego. They knew their cause would fall on deaf ears. Not amount of testimony would change the king’s mind. They simply kept silent, and let the Lord convict his heart. Come to think of it, that sounds a lot like Jesus doesn’t it. Lead before Herod, Pilate, the ruling council he knew they would not be moved by his words. So he let his silence, and his actions on the cross change the hearts of humanity forever. Sometimes the sound of silence is the loudest of all.

Re: Verse reading–Daniel 3:1-2, 8-18, 25-29 (day one) 

“Let it be known to you, O king, that we will NOT serve your gods and we will NOT worship the statue that you have set up.”–v 18.

Sometimes (often) the most positive thing a person can do is to say “no”.  Want to build a marriage?  Begin by making some promises of what you will NOT do.  I will NOT be unfaithful to my spouse.  I will NOT be selfish or hold grudges.  Positives are implied (I will be faithful. . . I will be forgiving) but the first step is to pledge what WON’T happen.

Want to build a church?  Promise I WILL NOT FORSAKE  the assembling together of the saints.  See Hebrews 10: 25.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abenednego dreamed of rebuilding their broken nation.  Many steps still ahead, but the place to start was to say “NO” to any form of idolatry.

Strange!  Sometimes, a firm, clear “no” is a very positive thing.

Re: Verse reading– Jeremiah 1 (day five)

It’s an interesting conversation. God declares His intent to use Jeremiah in the role of prophet. God prefaces His “call” with a personal and intimate description of His knowledge, wisdom, and care in creating Jeremiah.

Jeremiah begins to process God’s announcement. It’s as if he began asking the wrong questions. Questions like, “Am I capable? Am I qualified?” (Notice the focus “I”) Jeremiah’s answer- “No, I am not, because I am too young and I do not know how to speak.”

God challenges the focus by stating, “Don’t say ‘I am too young’ ”. He then begins to give the answers to the questions that Jeremiah should have been asking/thinking. “You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.” (What are my instructions?) “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you.” (Will you be with me?)

As God speaks to us, the right questions are “What are my instructions?” and “Will you be with me?”

Re: Verse reading– Jeremiah 1 (day four)

What a picture of a beautiful promise!  God has called Jeremiah to be His spokesman.  He already knows Jeremiah before he was even born.  God also knows the trials Jeremiah will face as he carries out His call.  God answers all of Jeremiah’s fears…fears of not knowing what to say and fears that the people will not listen because of his youth.  After God makes His promise (v.8), He proceeds to train Jeremiah.  In v. 11-12, God tests him to reassure Jeremiah that he accurately sees what God is telling him.

Has God done that for you?  Have you ever learned a truth or lesson from Scripture, only to be tested then in that same truth?  God works constantly in our lives to clarify His Word to the people around us.  We are His spokesmen.  Maybe it is time for us to “gird up our loins, and arise and speak to them.”  (v.17)

Re: Verse reading– Jeremiah 1 (day three)

“Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth.”  Fear doesn’t indicate that you’re unfit for God’s use.  To the contrary, fear is often evidence of his fervent call in your life.  That was certainly true for Jeremiah, whose fear of speaking was his response to God’s call to lift his own shaky voice.  When he used that fear as a starting point for a conversation with God, God drew nearer and placed his fingerprints at the very point of Jeremiah’s anxiety.  He never forgot how close God came to him, no matter how hard life got.  Are you afraid?  Chances are your fear is a telltale sign that God is calling you to take the very action that terrifies you.  When you speak your fear to God, he’ll respond with a nearness you’ll never get over.

Re: Verse reading– Jeremiah 1 (day two) “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” vs. 6

I am too young. I don’t speak well. I have not been summoned before the king. Over the past several weeks we have encountered the very real, very human reactions to the call of God upon those we now consider giants of our faith. How many times and in how many different ways does the Lord need to remind us that he will make whatever limitations we may see into Kingdom opportunities?

But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.  Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. vs. 7-8

If we continue to look at the broken, imperfect creature that we are and think that we in our own sufficiency will be able to carry out the assignment, then we are right, we can’t do it. But God has not called us to do these things alone. He is more than able. Let him be the source of your strength.