3 posts tagged “courage”

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DANIEL IN THE LION'S DEN

THE CRIME OF PRAYER

Read Daniel 6

"Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?" Daniel 6:20 NIV

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This is one of the most familiar stories in the Bible, along with stories like Noah's Ark and David and Goliath–but it is far more than a children's bedtime story. It’s the story of a man who served God continually from the time he was a teenager–taken into Babylonian captivity–until he was a very old man serving Darius, the king of the Medes and Persians.

No matter what the circumstance, Daniel was faithful to his God. His crime in this story was that he prayed and gave thanks before his God three times a day, as was his custom since early days. (6:10b NKJV) Daniel–a man who seldom had control of his circumstances– served a God who was always in control of his circumstances. This is an amazing truth that most of us find hard to absorb.
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Lord, I am not likely to face a fiery furnace or hungry lions, but I still struggle to remember who controls my life and the lives of those I love. May it be said of us, like Daniel, “they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful;” (Daniel 6:4b NKJV)
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Daniel answered, "O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king." Daniel 6:21–22 NIV
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THE FIERY FURNACE

SHADRACH, MESHACH AND ABEDNEGO

Read Daniel 3

“there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon–Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego–who pay no attention to you, O king. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up." Daniel 3:12 NIV

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Daniel's three friends refused to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar's image of gold, even though the penalty was death in a fiery furnace. But before this ultimate test of their loyalty to God, they had already passed smaller tests. Their refusal to eat the king's food during their training period had resulted in God's blessing and protection. Now in this greater test they remained faithful saying, "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." (3:17–18)
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Dear Lord, You have said that “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much.” (Luke 16:10 NKJV) Help us to teach our children that little matters of obedience are very important. Then when the bigger tests of faithfulness and loyalty come along, they will be prepared. Lord, help us to be examples of faithfulness in the little things, as well.
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"Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God."
Daniel 3:28 NIV
Post a comment Tags: training, courage, faithfulness, fiery furnace, faithful in the little things

DAVID AND GOLIATH

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Read 1 Samuel 17

 

            When Eliab, David's oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he asked, "Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are … you came down only to watch the battle." "Now what have I done?" said David. "Can't I even speak?" He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter…     1 Samuel 17:28‑30

 

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            One cannot help but smile in reading this interaction between the oldest and youngest of Jesse’s sons. God had already put it into David’s heart to lead Israel, though neither David nor his brother knew it yet. David would have to go through many trials before God gave him the throne as king, but he was anointed by Samuel while he was still a boy. Now, as he faces Goliath, it becomes obvious why God chose him. But God also had plans for David’s brother Eliab, just as he does for all of His people.

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            Lord, I have no idea what you have planned in the future for my children. But my deepest desire is that they will follow You and love You with all of their hearts. As we faithfully ask You for wisdom to teach them; speak to their hearts and lead them to walk in Your perfect will.

 

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             Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand …”

1 Samuel 17:45-46a NKJV

1 comment Tags: war, future, wisdom, fear, courage, sibling rivalry, david and goliath, philistines …