“The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Matthew 23:11-12 NLT
Receiving recognition for a job well done is a humbling experience, at least it should be. Serving in the church of God must be a humbling experience, and not an occasion to flaunt the recognition placed on us for our work. We are serving the Lord God of heaven and not ourselves. The church is no place for self-seeking ambition, either in the role of teaching, administration, social activities, financial management, or building and ground maintenance. Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees for just that in seeking recognition and being ambitious in their role of sitting in ‘Moses’ seat’ as they referred to their authority.
Jesus was in the habit of constantly rebuking the religious leaders as they confronted Him, but this is by far His harshest criticism of them; it was their hypocrisy that justified the rebuke. Jesus did not condemn their position or teaching within the original intent of Law of God but rebuked them for not practicing what they taught. They were hypocrites. All their work was done to impress people and they flaunted their status to let everyone know they were in charge, they were holy, and they deserved honor. Jesus said, “They love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi.’” (Mt. 23:7nlt) The scribes and Pharisees were starting to claim they were the source of truth and forgetting God.
In speaking to His disciples and the crowd around Him Jesus said, “Don’t let anyone call you ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters.” (Mt. 23:8nlt) This is an important lesson for the church today to comprehend. Jesus is saying He is the ultimate teacher, and His word is the absolute only authority. Jesus is not condemning positions of leadership or teachers in the church, but of pride and overstepping. We are all equal brothers and sisters in His church and all of us need good solid preaching and teaching of God’s Word. But we must all remember, “The greatest among ‘us’ must be a servant. But those ‘of us’ who exalt ‘ourselves’ will be humbled, and those ‘of us’ who humble ‘ourselves’ will be exalted.” (Mt. 23:11-12nlt)
“But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.” Daniel 6:10 NLT
The United States has had its share of civil disobedience since its independence. Defined by Merrian-Webster as “refusal to obey governmental demands or commands especially as a nonviolent and usually collective means of forcing concessions from the government” has been used by people over the years for a vast range of issues. Some examples of civil disobedience in the United States include, Susan B. Anthony arrested for illegally voting in the 1872, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white man on an Alabama bus in 1955, the Vietnam war period had many protests resulting in civil disobedience, and the pro-life movement has been actively involved in similar demonstrations having led to civil disobedience. Is all civil disobedience legitimate disobedience? Being obedient to holy God, the ultimate ruler and authority, in standing up for the truth spelled out in His word is what is expected from every Christian.
Our study in the book of Daniel presented us with an example of ‘legitimate disobedience’ in chapter 3. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down and worship the golden stature King Nebuchadnezzar set up. These three were notable officials in the king’s court and yet took the stand of refusing to worship anything or anyone other than the true God. Legitimate disobedience to those in authority has its consequences as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego found out. The Lord God delivered them from harm in the fiery furnace, however they did not know that would in fact be the case. They still took a righteous stand for God.
As we approach chapter 6, we have another encounter of ‘legitimate disobedience.’ Darius the Mede was king who divided his kingdom into 120 provinces with officials over each one and three administrators over all the officials. Daniel was one of the three administrators and soon to be promoted to the top position in the empire due to expertise and work ethic. His two colleagues and some of the officials resented a Jewish captive holding such a high position and tried to find some dirt on him. “Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.” (Dan. 6:4nlt) When their efforts failed, they devised a plan to get rid of him.
Daniel’s conspirators came up with a foolproof plan guaranteed to bring him down. They were aware of Daniel’s work ethic and loyalty to Darius the king, but they were also aware of his devotion to the God of heaven he prayed to three times a day as was his practice. The officials brought a proposal to the king in the guise of total agreement of all of them (note Daniel wasn’t there) “……that the king should make a law that will be strictly enforced. Give orders that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions.” (Dan. 6:7nlt) Laws passed in the Medo-Persian empire were unchangeable and could not be reversed even by himself once he signed it, and he signed this one. They had him, or so they thought.
Living in Babylon today is not much different than Daniel’s day. Our conspirators today use the same tactics to overthrow us and bring us down. Authentic Christianity today lived out is guaranteed to upset those who hold to a secular worldview. Secularists despise those of faith in authority. They will expose a conviction held by Christians in a negative light, even pursing legal action to remove and discredit them. Unfortunately, there are many who cave and compromise.
Daniel is an example needed in our world today. He did not cave. His enemies knew he wouldn’t. Their plan was foolproof for they knew of Daniel’s integrity and convictions. “Then the officials went together to Daniel’s house and found him praying and asking for God’s help. So they went straight to the king and reminded him about his law.” (Dan. 6:11-12a nlt) King Darius also knew Daniel would not give in when the officials reported Daniel’s continued prayer habits. “Hearing this, the king was deeply troubled, and he tried to think of a way to save Daniel. He spent the rest of the day looking for a way to get Daniel out of this predicament.” (Dan. 6:14 nlt) Darius realized he was used by those who wanted Daniel dead, the most competent and loyal administrator he had.
We know the rest of the story. The king had no choice but to have Daniel thrown into the lion’s den but had hope that Daniel’s God would save him. (Dan. 6:16) We know God did indeed save him by sending an angel to shut the lion’s mouths, but again as with Daniel’s three friends thrown into the fiery furnace, he did not know if God would save him, but knew that He could. Daniel took a courageous stand of ‘legitimate disobedience’ for he was not about to let any authority prevent him from praying to the Lord God. A foolproof plan today only works against us if we become a Daniel and hold to our convictions, not cave, or compromise trusting God for the outcome in whether He will deliver us. Do we have the courage to do more than civil disobedience, but to stand for God in ‘legitimate disobedience?’
March is ‘Women’s History Month.” There have been many women in evangelical circles over the years who have done tremendous work for the cause of Christ. A very notable woman in the advancing of the gospel throughout the world is Elizabeth Elliot. Born in Brussels, Belgium in 1926 to missionary parents, she herself became a missionary to the Auca/Waodani tribe in the Amazonian jungle of Ecuador. First with her husband, Jim Elliot, and then as a single mother after her husband’s death.
It was January 8, 1956, when Jim Elliot and four other missionaries were speared to death in an effort to make contact the Auca/Waodani tribe. Two years later, Elizabeth returned with her 3-year-old daughter and Rachel Saint the sister of Nate Saint who was also killed in the attack of the missionaries. They led many to Christ during their stay before returning to the states in 1963. Elizabeth published her 2nd and 3rd books while serving among the Aucas in Ecuador.
Elizabeth Elliot went on to write over 20 books. She was an adjunct professor at Gordon-Conwell Seminary, and hosted a daily radio program, ‘Gateway to Joy,’ for twelve years beginning in 1988. Through all her accomplishments in serving the Lord, it was her time in Ecuador returning to the same people who killed her husband and presenting the gospel of Christ that has sealed her place in history. The Museum of the Bible in Washington, D. C. opened ‘The Elisabeth Elliot Exhibit’ on March 30, 2023.
What would cause someone to return to the very place and to the same people who murdered their husband? In her own words Elizabeth had said, “Faith does not eliminate questions. But faith knows where to take them.” She took her questions to God and He answered them. Having a deep love for Jesus, her savior, she wanted to share that love. Elizabeth wrote, “The deepest things that I have learned in my own life have come from the deepest suffering. And out of the deepest waters and the hottest fires have come the deepest things I know about God.” This she also shared with her readers, radio audience, and those who heard her lectures. You are loved with an everlasting love.
“When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the LORD your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today.” Deuteronomy 8:10-11 NLT
In the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy, Moses is giving his final instructions from the Lord to the nation of Israel as they were about to enter the Promised Land. Moses tells them to be careful to obey all the commands God is giving them. (Dt. 8:1) It was the Lord God who was giving them this land of a fruitful bounty. They were to remember and praise God after they ate and were filled who had bless them and given them the land. But then a warning was given to be careful they do not forget God in their prosperity and disobey his commands. Israel in the Old Testament had done that many times and America is doing the same thing in our day.
America was once considered the breadbasket of the world. That is not case at the present time as Brazil is rising to the top spot along with the Ukraine. The war in Ukraine since 2022 has proven their contribution to the world’s food supply as shortages and higher prices have occurred. America still produces 75% of the nation’s food supply, and the United States is still the world’s top food exporter as of 2018. But it has no doubt become a global market.
The fact of the matter is that despite the decline of the nation’s food supply, America still has the potential to feed the world. Somewhere along the line America has failed when according to a report from NPR in October of 2023, ‘44.2 million people lived in households that had difficulty getting enough food to feed everyone in 2022, up from 33.8 million people the year prior, including more than 13 million children.’ Not to mention the increasing homeless population among the ever-increasing poverty rate, America is failing.
Moses’ words from the Lord can easily be applied to the United States of America. This country was established on godly principles founded in the pages of holy scripture. God has richly blessed America, but we have lost our way, strayed from godly principles, and forgot God. America’s failure to praise God for past blessings has created a self-sufficient attitude resulting in a nation turning its back on God. But as God had restore Israel many times after repenting and turning back to God, God will restore America to its greatness to be the breadbasket of the world, but only as we repent and turn back to God.
“Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer.” 2 Corinthians 1:6 NLT
Any trials of suffering we go through whether physical, emotional, financial, or relational, it is often said there is a reason for it. At the time of our suffering, we do not want to hear that, but there is indeed a lot of truth to that statement. There is a reason for it.
Paul, the apostle, told the people of the church in Corinth the suffering he and his companions were going through was to comfort them. Eventually the church will go through the same suffering. Paul, having already gone through it, was able to help them in their need, most of all to comfort in times of persecution. Paul was an agent for comfort.
The comfort Paul and his friends received was from God. He tells them, “……God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others……” (2 Cor. 1:3-4nlt) Whatever suffering you are going through, the Lord God will supply His grace and comfort to you as you will be able to comfort others with the same trial. “When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” (2 Cor. 1:4b nlt)
It is difficult going through trials of suffering, but assuring for the Christian who knows God the Father is there to provide comfort. And our suffering will be turned to comfort and our comfort will become joy as the Lord uses us as His agent for comfort to others.
“Moses said to the people, ‘Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin,'” Exodus 20:20 ESV
“………. By fearing the LORD, people avoid evil.” Proverbs 16:6 NLT
What does it mean to fear God? For those who do not know Him, it could be ‘the fear of the unknown.’ The same could be true of those who say they believe there is a God, but fear exists due to the uncertainty of who He is. For those of you who say you have a relationship with God, believing that He is, what does it mean for you to fear God?
When scripture speaks of the ‘fear’ of God it is referring to the ‘reference’ or ‘awe’ of God. God in all His splendor and glory is to be praised. The God of the universe who spoke it into existence out of nothing should fill us with awe. When we observe the creation of the earth and enjoy its beauty and magnificence, we stand in amazement of how great God is. The Bible tells us this great God thinks of us, “How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!” (Ps. 139:17-18nlt) God, as awesome as He is, thinks of us constantly. This should make us pause to thank the God of the universe for His precious thoughts towards us, but also to make us think of how we disappoint Him when we sin. It should cause to come to grips with the fact that a holy God, the creator of the universe, the creator of life, and all powerful has just seen us sin.
After Moses received the Ten Commandments from the Lord, the Israelites stood at the base of the mountain and were extremely frightened by the thunder, lightning, and smoke arising from the mountain. They said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.” (Ex. 20:19esv) Moses answered them by saying, ‘Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.’ (Ex. 20:20esv) The fear the Israelites felt from the presence of the awesome, powerful, holy God is the same fear (reference-awe) God wants us to have for Him that we may not sin. Do you fear God?
“And the leaders of the church had nothing to add to what I was preaching. (By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, for God has no favorites.)” Galatians 2:6 NLT
We all have favorites of one thing or another, but favorites when it comes to people is not wise. There are people we look up to with favoritism as much as we try to deny it. Some favoritism is not bad. My deep love for music across all genres has positioned me to be observant of true talent of an artist over their popularity therefore instilling my favorites. The same can be said of those on my list of favorite baseball players, and so on. But when it comes to my favorite pastor, radio preacher, theologian, or missionary organization I need to be more than careful they are on the top of my list for the right reason.
In my daily reading of scripture the other day, a verse from the apostle Paul jumped out at me. Paul was telling the churches of Galatia of his meeting with the leaders of the Jerusalem church, Peter, James (the Lord’s brother), and John. Paul went there to confirm that his ministry to the Greeks was the same gospel they were preaching to the Jews. He wanted to be sure his theology agreed with theirs and asked for their support. He noted Peter, James, and John had nothing to add to his preaching, but then Paul said this, ‘By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, for God has no favorites.’ (Gal. 2:6 nlt) It got me to thinking.
The fact that Peter and John were original apostles of Jesus, and James was the Jesus’ brother did not elevate them higher than Paul, nor was their preaching of more value. Their mere reputation did not result in greater preaching, or greater blessing from God. Each would be ministering where and to whom God has assigned for His purposes. Fast forward to our day, the Lord assigns each minister of the gospel to meet the needs of those in their care. The only favorites one should have concerning the ministers of the gospel is the sermon, ministry, book, devotionals, or other work by those God has chosen to encourage and strengthen us spiritually in our time of need. We will always look favorably to those God has used to inspire us. Let us also thank God for them as we remember God has no favorites.
“The LORD said to my Lord, ‘Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.’” Psalm 110:1 NLT
“Since David called the Messiah ‘my Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?’” Matthew 22:45 NLT
FreeBibleimages.org
A survey conducted by Ligonier Ministries in 2020 found that 52% of adults in the United States believe that Jesus is not God. Taking the results of that survey at face value, it mirrors 52% of U.S. adults do not believe in the Bible or have what I call ‘select believability.’ It is tragic to fall into the trap of considering certain portions of scripture as subject to debate or simply not true. I would hate to think John 3:16 or Romans 10:9, or even 1 John 4:16, “God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.” (NLT) would fall under select believability.
The very basis of our salvation is found in the truth of Jesus Christ being God. Yes, fully man and fully God. A perfect sacrifice was needed to redeem us from our sin and Jesus being only a man would not qualify. There needed to be perfect, sinless lamb to take away the sins of the world. (Jn. 1:29) Sadly, those who believe Jesus is not God have no hope of eternal salvation. Their hope lies in what they believe or disbelieve in scripture. It comes down to what makes the most sense and is logical. Jesus Himself assures us that he indeed is God.
Jesus was constantly being bombarded with questions from the Jewish rulers during His day. All their questions were to trap Him and disprove His claim of deity being the Messiah. Jesus finally got His chance to submit a question to them, which cleared up the whole matter and silence them once and for all. Jesus was able to do what the Jewish rulers could not do, He trapped them with their own words. They couldn’t answer accurately without acknowledging Jesus is the Messiah.
Jesus asked them whose son is the Messiah. The answer was well-known by all Jewish people, the Messiah would be the son of David. Jesus then quoted David’s prophecy in the book of Psalms, “The LORD said to my Lord, ‘Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.’” (110:1 NLT) Then He asked the rulers, “Since David called the Messiah ‘my Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?’” (Mt. 22:45 NLT) If the rulers answered correctly, they would have said the Messiah is the divine son of God and existed before David from all eternity, but they could not. “No one could answer him. And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.” (Mt. 22:46 NLT) Don’t fall in line with the 52% suffering from select believability when the truth is plain to see in scripture. Jesus is God!
“So they brought these gold cups taken from the Temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. While they drank from them they praised their idols made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.” Daniel 5:3-4 NLT
FreeBibleimages.org
The statement ‘Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it’ is attributed to American philosopher George Santayana. To quote him in ‘The Life of Reason: Reason in Common Sense’ he wrote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” The Babylonian empire had a rich history which was well-known within and outside the empire. But George Santayana’s statement rings true for King Belshazzar, he did not learn from history, and he was about to repeat it in a big way. Doom is sure to follow.
As we approach chapter 5 in the book of Daniel, we find a new king as head of the Babylonian empire. Nebuchadnezzar died in 562 B.C. and the events of chapter 5 take place 23 years later in 539 B.C. Babylon had been under siege by the armies of Medo-Persia who were just outside the walls of the city. King Belshazzar, to boost morale for his nobles, gave a great feast for them to enjoy. During the feast he gave orders to bring in the cups of gold and silver that were captured from the temple in Jerusalem to be used to drink from. Perhaps a part of his strategy was to flout the destruction of Jerusalem years earlier presenting the cups as evidence of a mighty conquest. But his real objective was to use them to praise their idols made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone in hopes of being delivered from the Medo-Persians. Belshazzar mocked the God of heaven as his predecessor Nebuchadnezzar had done years earlier.
Living in Babylon today there are plenty of leaders who are mocking God praising and leaning on their idols of power, money, idealism, greed, military strength, the cultural revolution, and the three ‘isms’, fascism, socialism, and communism. These leaders fail to accept there is a God in heaven who is the ultimate authority, and He has entrusted them to governed in order that we may live peaceful lives. Even those who believe there is a God are far from governing in line with the pages of scripture. I’m afraid my own country, the United States, is sadly among them.
This gala event was in full swing, perhaps at the height of the party, when “Suddenly, they saw the fingers of a human hand writing on the plaster wall of the king’s palace, near the lampstand. The king himself saw the hand as it wrote.” (Dan. 5:5 NLT) You’ve heard of ‘the handwriting on the wall’, well this is it right from the pages of the Bible. The mighty King Belshazzar turned white with fright. His knees knocked together and he nearly collapsed immediately calling for his wise men to read the writing and explain what it means. Again, as in Nebuchadnezzar’s Day they were of no help to him for they were deceivers themselves worshiping the same idols. “So the king grew even more alarmed, and his face turned pale. His nobles, too, were shaken.” (Dan. 5:9 NLT) It was time once again to call in Daniel, the only one who worshiped the God of heaven.
This may have been the first encounter the king had with Daniel. It appeared Belshazzar didn’t even know Daniel when the queen mother persuaded the king to call him based on her previous knowledge of Daniel’s dealings with Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel wasted no time in responding to the king, but first gave him a history lesson. Daniel began by saying, “Your Majesty, the Most High God gave sovereignty, majesty, glory, and honor to your predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar. But when his heart and mind were puffed up with arrogance, he was brought down from his royal throne and stripped of his glory.” (Dan. 5:18, 20 NLT) Daniel proceeded to tell the king in detail of Nebuchadnezzar’s demise and then let Belshazzar know, “O Belshazzar, and you knew all this, yet you have not humbled yourself…..……you have not honored the God who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny!” (Dan. 5:22, 23b NLT) He didn’t learn from history the consequences of not giving the God of heaven praise for the kingdom He had given him or even for his own life.
FreeBibleimages.org
What was written was straight to the point; ‘MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN.’ Mene means your days are numbered. Tekel means you have been weighed on the balances and have not measured up. Parsin means your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians. It happened quickly. “That very night Belshazzar, the Babylonian king, was killed. And Darius the Mede took over the kingdom at the age of sixty-two.” (Dan. 5:30-31 NLT)
The Lord God of heaven does not share His glory and He is not mocked. (Gal. 6:7) King Belshazzar found that out and world leaders today also will find it out for themselves if they do not change their ways. But this is not just a lesson for world leaders. It applies to each of us living in today’s Babylon. Being outnumbered as Daniel had been requires Christians to be on guard and faithful to the Lord God of heaven. We are to know all that we have is from God, and He is the one who receives all the glory and the praise!
“Here are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (also called Peter), then Andrew (Peter’s brother), James (son of Zebedee), John (James’s brother), Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew (the tax collector), James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon (the zealot), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him). Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: ……Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!” Matthew 10:2-5a, 7-8 (NLT)
FreeBibleimages.org
A privilege in itself is special. It is defined as; “a special right, favor, etc. granted to some person or group.” Twelve unsuspecting ordinary men had the right and favor granted to them to be called one of Jesus’s apostles. Together as a group they had the privilege of being part of the biggest movement in the history of the world, the ushering of the Kingdom of God. Who were these men and what were their credentials that Jesus recognized them as being worthy to be part of His team? Their credentials were they were simply ordinary men. We may refer to them today, as ordinary Joe or an average Joe. Nothing spectacular stands out among the average. They mix in unnoticeably within society as one among the millions in the world. Yet, as Christians we understand that there is no one with higher credentials to serve the Lord as the one He chooses.
Examine the lives of each of the apostles. How much do we know about them? Scripture tells us Peter, Andrew, James and John were fisherman. Matthew was a tax collector. Thomas is known for his doubting, and Judas Iscariot most noted for his betrayal of Jesus. We are able to gather some information as to birth place and character of the other apostles, Philip, Bartholomew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the zealot, and Thaddaeus, but how much do we know about them. The point being that all these men were just plain old ordinary men in the eyes of the world, but to Jesus who called them they were extraordinary in their service to Him through the authority He gave them. (Mt. 10:1)
Our Lord is looking for ordinary Joes and Janes today to continue the work the apostles started two thousand years ago. If you are a true believer in the Lord Jesus then you are called for a special purpose, a purpose and work only you are called to do. You made not heal the sick, cast out demons, or raise the dead, but you are able to work the works of Him who called you. It is a special privilege.
Word for the Soul 