Never Miss a Call

A spotty or unreliable cell signal is problematic. For example, there have been times when Mister Bill was hunting, he was “off the grid.”  Sadly, there are times in our spiritual lives when we [too] miss God’s voice. Be assured: the missed word from Him has nothing to do with The One speaking!  The lack of signal most always can be traced to a struggling relationship with or broken fellowship with Christ.  Jesus said, “Abide in Me, and I in you.” (John 15:4). The Greek word “abide” refers to a continual tarrying and tarrying ... with purpose. If I'm expecting a call, my phone is constantly with me; my intention is not to miss its ring. This is how we are to abide in Christ – being diligent and attentive to His voice, faithfully keeping ourselves in spiritual range so when God speaks, we hear Him. The psalmist said, “But for me it is good to be near God.” (Psalm 73:28). There are days my phone is silent and that’s okay; it’s never a good thing, however, to miss God’s voice. Are you listening for Him? Remain in Him and ... never miss a call.

Be a Daniel

The word "nickname" comes from a Middle English word meaning "also-name" ... aka nickname. Not sure where it came from but my Dad would occasionally call me "Beverly Jane" ... and I cannot tell you where that also-name came from! Once in Babylonian captivity, Daniel and his three Hebrew friends - Hananiah, Mishael, MAzariah - were given new [Babylonian] names: "The commander of the officials gave them [Babylonian] names: Daniel he named Belteshazzar, Hananiah he named Shadrach, Michael he named Meshack, and Azariah he named Abed-nego." (Daniel 1:7 AMP). Unlike today, in Bible times children were given names of significance: the name "Daniel" means "God is my Judge." What a profound statement and mandate for one who loves The Lord - to live in accordance with The One Who knows and sees all and judges in absolute perfection. To such a one, there is great promise: "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him." (James 1:12 ESV). Throughout Daniel's life we read how he was repeatedly challenged to levels of steadfastness, choosing whether he would honor the Babylonian king of King of the universe. Let me suggest that [as a general rule] we do not always endure so well. At the first sign of heat [even smoke], we begin to re-think our positions, re-consider how firm we care to remain to what we believe. Putting our feet to the fire is rarely something we choose but those who Godly Truth will surely feel the fires of perseverance. "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trials when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's suffering, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed." (1 Peter 4:12-13 ESV). The deep, irreversible and firm faith of Daniel and his friends is inspiring! Let's not be deceived to think it was so different for them as today! While circumstances may differ, the strategies of the enemy are the same. Daniel's name - God Is My Judge - testified then and now of who he held in highest regard, and we should take care in our own lives and challenges ... be a Daniel.

Our Assignment

For sure, I do not recall all my school assignments but there are a few I cannot forget! For example, I vividly remember ninth grade Physical Science light drawings and the tenth grade bug collections for Biology. These were huge assignments, not to be completed over a few days but rather projects to be worked-on and completed in addition to ongoing daily assignments. Daniel and three Hebrew friends were young Jewish teenagers who were abruptly taken from their homeland into a foreign land, receiving new [and unusual] assignments from a pagan king: "The king assigned a daily ration for them from his finest food and from the wine which he drank. They were to be educated and nourished this way for three years so that at the end of that time they were [prepared] to enter the king's service." (Daniel 1:5 AMP). As worshipers and followers of the One True God, they must have wondered how they were to continue in their faith when facing these new things! Although the king's food was concerning [because it has not been prepared according to the Law of The Lord], the real issue before Daniel and his friends wasn't the food. No, the problem was that these young men had long before devoted themselves to pleasing The Lord - not man. They found themselves indeed in quite a situation, and often so do we. Before them and before us daily is what is often referred to as the ... slippery slope. Oh, you know that tricky decline: a slope we all find ourselves on at times where we are tempted to compromise, wobble a little this way or that way; before long, we're victims of the slope and have declined far from what we know to be right and pleasing to The Lord. In the ongoing of our every day lives, how do we win over the decline? Paul writes, "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong." (1 16:13 ESV). This is exactly what Daniel and his friends did - they were watchful at what was presented to them, they stood firm and acted like the men of God they had devoted themselves to be, and they proved strong! "But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself ..." (Daniel 1:8 AMP). No matter how slippery that slope was, God gave Daniel (and his friends') the grace to remain true to their assignment ... that is, pleasing God alone. You see, we too must take joy and find all the resolve to stay faithful to God and what is pleasing Him - that's ... our assignment.

The Right Treasury

One of my sisters enjoys reclaiming and repurposing old things - that is, creatively giving existing things a different or new purpose. It's fascinating what she has done with with old plates, teacups,  lamps, etc. Scripture tells of the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem and took "articles of the house of God ... to the house of his god, and brought the articles into the treasury of his god." (Daniel 1:2 AMP). Yes, he took what was designated as holy by God Himself, belittled them by adding them to a pile of useless things. My first thought was "how horrible" but then I considered how I do the same thing when I give my heart to worthless things of this life. In several places God tells us He wants me to love Him with all my heart, soul and might (Deuteronomy 6:4) yet I insist on loving other things more. To put it plainly, there should be nothing more at the center of who I am than a personal relationship with Jesus Christ! When that relationship is not what it should be, I'm no different than that pagan king who took what was designated as holy (my heart) and applied it to worthless things of this world. What was your first conscious thought this morning? Was it all the things you needed to get done, places you were committed to be, etc. or was it a simple "Lord, as I meet the obligations of this day and honor the commitments I have, how can I wholly devote my heart to you in it all?" I confess, my mind wanders many places ... yes, even to treasuries that hold idols of my own making. God says, "I am the Lord; that is My Name; My glory I give to no other." (Isaiah 5:8 ESV). Those who belong to Christ have one unique thing God desires most, and it is the heart. Dear Father, provide for me the grace (strength and power) to give my heart to You, The Most High God where it is safe, secure - in ... the right treasury.

Grace to Endure

There are probably certain words that bring-on a groan, and sometimes out loud: words like laundry, alarm clock, mopping, among others. I suggest something else that challenges us in many respects is ... endurance. I don't even want to think about the past goals I've set [for myself] that flopped; not because they were bad goals or even unrealistic but simply because I lacked endurance - the physical, emotional and mental stamina, the stay-with-it-ness. One Bible hero who models endurance is Daniel. One of Israel's best and brightest, he was captured and taken away to Babylon. That sounds like reason enough to feel hopeless and become discouraged - yes, to give up. That is not, however, what Daniel did! With the first test of his faith, here is Daniel's resolve: "But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king's finest food or with the wine which the king drank." (Daniel 1:8). Endurance - a continuing, an unyielding to pressure ... this is why God "granted Daniel favor and compassion" (V.9). Why is it so hard for us to endure? Perhaps it's because we love God only partially and not with the whole heart; our affections for Him and His Ways are divided among others things. Joan of Arc, martyred for her faith, said, "all battles are first won or lost in the mind." How interesting that God says of Daniel that he "made up his mind," at the very seat of all his emotions, Daniel set his mind to honor God first and above all all else. Hence, he endured and not just one test of his faith but many others. Daniel is one of a few Bible heroes whose record is flawless; he is an example of how to live as a Believer in a hostile world, in and through circumstances beyond our control while remaining true to God. To finish this year and every year strong - to endure the number of our days is a worthy goal. Daniel did and so can we. Let us pray daily for ... grace to endure.