But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.

Hosea 12

But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always. v6

As God continues to pass judgement on to both Israel and Judah, He uses Jacob as an example of someone who struggled with his sin (deception of his father and brother - Genesis 25 and Genesis 26:34-Genesis 28), yet returned to God (see also John MacArthur's commentary).

We all sin, yet we have a God who is so full of grace and mercy that He sent His Son to die for us so that we could have freedom from the sting of sin and death.  We just need to turn from our sin towards God, and to submit to Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

The greatest gift of all time!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are that You are SO full of mercy and grace.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Because you have depended on your own strength and on your many warriors, the roar of battle will rise against your people, so that all your fortresses will be devastated—as Shalman devastated Beth Arbel on the day of battle, when mothers were dashed to the ground with their children.

Hosea 10

Because you have depended on your own strength and on your many warriors, the roar of battle will rise against your people, so that all your fortresses will be devastated—as Shalman devastated Beth Arbel on the day of battle, when mothers were dashed to the ground with their children. v13-14

Depending on one's own strength is a sign of arrogance - that you don't need God.  This is true for most of the world and for a significant part of my life - even after I became a believer, it was true for me as well.  However, I am grateful that God has shown me that without exception we all need a savior - all of the time.

Our confidence must rest in God.

Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.  But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:5-8

My Prayer: Lord You are an awesome God who loves me and because You love me, You humbled me and show me great mercies and compassion - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The prophet, along with my God, is the watchman over Ephraim, yet snares await him on all his paths, and hostility in the house of his God.

Hosea 9

The prophet, along with my God, is the watchman over Ephraim, yet snares await him on all his paths, and hostility in the house of his God. v8

According to John MacArthur's commentary, prophets such as Ezekiel, as the appointed watchmen, delivered God's message and warning to Israel, yet these messages and warnings were ignored by Israel as they descended into wickedness and sin.

In my role as a father and husband, I often worry about whether I am doing enough as the spiritual head of my household.  To a certain extent this worry is warranted, yet my focus should be not on my worry but on my own spiritual journey with God.  The best thing I can do is to model Jesus for others, including those in my own house.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who gave me Your Son Jesus to save me, and to help me with my own walk - also giving me Your Word, the church, and so much more!  Thank You Jesus.  Yet I am undeserving of such gifts.  I worry and I miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Ephraim is like a dove, easily deceived and senseless—now calling to Egypt, now turning to Assyria.

Hosea 7

Ephraim is like a dove, easily deceived and senseless—now calling to Egypt, now turning to Assyria. v11

Unless we have God as our anchor and firm foundation, we will waver and be blown and tossed about from idol to idol.  We want to avoid being just like Ephraim (Israel) and and Judah in the days of Hosea.  

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:19

With God, we will not waver.  See also the parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awe some God who loves me and who provides with a firm foundation upon which I cannot waver - thank You Jesus!  What an amazing God You are!  I am not worth such love and such a God.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.

Hosea 6

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings. v6.

Yesterday, Pastor Marty gave a great sermon on chapter 6 - helping us focus on how we can avoid placing other Gods above Jesus - the one true God who is before all things and in control (Colossians 1:16-17).  

Key for me is to avoid a fake or inauthentic faith - one that has an outward appearance of faith but is weak or non-existent as a matter of the heart.  Just as God looked at David's heart vs his external appearance (1 Samuel 16:7), we should focus on our heart condition and not do what God is admonishing here in Hosea 6 - don't offer sacrifice or anything else to God as a superficial gesture.

God wants our full attention and life.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are that love me - even with all of my flaws and sins - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a God as I often place other gods above You.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then I will return to my lair until they have borne their guilt and seek my face—in their misery they will earnestly seek me.

Hosea 5

Then I will return to my lair until they have borne their guilt and seek my face—in their misery they will earnestly seek me. v15

Too often, we seek God during times of trouble only.  Yet we should seek God during all times - daily.  It is during the good times when we take the time to develop a relationship with Jesus that God will do a work within us to prepare us for when times are bad.  Yet God is a mystery, and we don't how He works or what He has in store for us.  We can better understand God's will for our lives only when we strive to know Him better and His message for us - He can transform our hearts and minds to be more like Him and in that process we can be better aligned with His will.

However, there will always be those - just like during the days of Israel (Ephraim) and Judah as written in Hosea - who will ignore God's invitation to draw near to Him.  God will either allow or cause something to happen to get people's attention - this is assured either in this life, at our Judgement Day, or when Jesus returns - and you don't want to wait for either of the two latter moments to pass before You submit to Him as Your Lord and Savior.

Every knee will bow.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who bore a painful death - just so I could have live free from the sting of sin and death.  And You went willingly to the cross!  Thank You Jesus for the greatest gift of all time!  I am not worth such a gift.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The more priests there were, the more they sinned against me; they exchanged their glorious God for something disgraceful.

Hosea 4

The more priests there were, the more they sinned against me; they exchanged their glorious God for something disgraceful. v7

We may view Israel's and Judah's rejection of God as someone else's sin - but from time to time in our lives, we all choose idols over God.  Yet the story of Hosea is one of amazing grace and it is a story for us all because God offers forgiveness for even the worst of us. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who saves and You do so not because we deserve it, but because You are full of mercy and love.   Thank You for Your mercy and love.  I am not worthy of such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or household gods. Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the Lord and to his blessings in the last days.

Hosea 3

For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or household gods. Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the Lord and to his blessings in the last days. v4-5

All of us sin (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8) and turn to other Gods from time to time.  Yet we have a God who welcomes us back with open arms – we must first repent and ask for His forgiveness.  God is full of grace and mercy and He will forgive us.  However, even though God forgives us, we will all be held accountable for our actions – either in this life or on the Day of Judgement when we die or when Jesus returns. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace, mercy and second chances – You forgive even though I am undeserving.  Thank You Jesus!  Yet I am undeserving of such forgiveness.  I worry.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one. I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people; and they will say, ‘You are my God'.

Hosea 2

I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.  I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people; and they will say, ‘You are my God’. v23

Jesus came to save all of us and died on the cross to accomplish this – we are not worthy of salvation just as Israel and Judah was not.  Yet just as Israel and Judah were saved, we are saved…the greatest gift of all of time.

Hosea’s marriage to Gomer is analogous of God’s love for an unfaithful nation and God’s love for all of His children. 

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:8

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who saves and You do so not because we deserve it, but because You are full of mercy and love.   Thank You for Your mercy and love.  I am not worthy of such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord.

Hosea 1

Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord. v2

I am grateful for Pastor Marty’s sermon series on Hosea as I am much better equipped to understand this book and the many messages contained in this book.  First and foremost, as Pastor Marty has said in part one of this series, Hosea’s marriage to Gomer is one of God’s amazing grace.  Just as Gomer needed grace and mercy, we all need grace and mercy as we all sin and fall short of the glory of God.

To help us fall prey to sin and temptation, Pastor Marty also encourages us to guard our hearts.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who saves and does so out of love and mercy for all.  You give all of us many, many second chances and opportunities to repent and surrender to You.  I thank You for doing this for me and I grateful that You adopted me as Your own.  I am not worthy of such love.  I often fail to be a light and I neglect to share the gospel.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.

Daniel 12

Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand. V10

As I wrap up my study Daniel, we get one final glimpse of Daniel’s vision of the end times.  Today we read about how some will be saved and some will not and this is recorded in the “book of the saved”.  I am reminded that we must be a light to others and share the gospel, and that there will be some who choose not to submit to Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  We are to save as many as we can and our role is to be a messenger – we do not save as this is for Jesus alone to do.

See also post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who saves and does so out of love and mercy for all.  You give all of us many, many second chances and opportunities to repent and surrender to You.  I thank You for doing this for me and I grateful that You adopted me as Your own.  I am not worthy of such love.  I often fail to be a light and I neglect to share the gospel.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.

Daniel 11

Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time. v35

God either causes or allows us to stumble and for us to suffer the consequences of our actions and as result we are refined and purified – becoming more like Him. 

Through a vision, Daniel continues to hear God’s plans for Israel and Judah, including details of the tribulation.

We may not know what God has in store for us and we may not like the refiner’s fire, but it is for our good and His glory.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have blessed me during all times – even when I felt times were difficult I can now see how You have done a work in me.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth all of the love and effort You pour out on me.  I worry and I am often harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.

Daniel 10

Do not be afraid, Daniel.  Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. v12

Since I started more regularly reading the Bible in 2010, I have grown tremendously in my relationship with Jesus, and for this I am both humbled and grateful; humbled that God would do a work in me, and grateful for all of the many ways in which He has blessed me.  God helped me grow in appreciation of my role as husband, father, and as a man – this being one clear example of His blessings.  However, this appreciation is somewhat dampened by my worry over whether I am actually living up to God’s design of and expectations for me in these roles.  I pray often for God to help me be the man He intends for me.  This morning I am greatly encouraged by the words spoken to Daniel by Gabriel (who also spoke similar words of encouragement to Mary in Luke 1 ).  I am encouraged that God hears my prayers and that God responds to my prayers.  God’s response may not be what I desire but I am nonetheless comforted that God hears my cries.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who hears and responds to my prayers.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love but You provide it anyway.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my love towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him.

Daniel 9

The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him. v14

We may not like what God is doing in our life but just as Daniel states, God is righteous in all that He does and I would go one step further that He is perfect in all that He does.

Daniel prays to end the suffering of Israel who is in exile and pleads with God for mercy (v19).

The angel Gabriel once again appears to Daniel providing further prophecy of the end times.  See also this post from John Piper on this topic.

We must view God’s discipline as training.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who disciplines me out of love – thank You Jesus.  I know You love me.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love but You provide it anyway.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my love towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I, Daniel, was worn out. I lay exhausted for several days. Then I got up and went about the king’s business. I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding.

Daniel 8

I, Daniel, was worn out. I lay exhausted for several days. Then I got up and went about the king’s business. I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding. V27

While we as believers, with additional data points in the New Testament, can better understand Daniel’s vision of the end times, it is certainly easy to appreciate Daniel’s position of exhaustion and being appalled as a result of trying to understand the vision’s meaning – despite assistance from Gabriel.

We must come to the point in our faith where we recognize that we will never understand all things and that there will always be mysteries when it comes to God.  This is a key aspect of faith.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

Faith allows us to persist in our calling, despite any unknowns.  We can rest in the firm foundation that is Jesus Christ.

See also this post by John Piper who emphasizes this point as well yet from a slightly different angle – we can be appalled by the world but still be productive in the world.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who provides brothers and sisters in Christ to support me in my faith – thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.

Daniel 7

His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him. V27

I am a huge baseball fan – Red Sox – and many games go back in forth where each team alternates taking the lead, taking fans on an emotional roller coaster.  As an example, check out this article on the longest games in MLB history. Yet, there are certain games where it is lopsided where one team, from the gates, takes a commanding lead and keeps it throughout the game and ultimately wins. 

Today, I am reminded of the latter-type of game.  Daniel has a dream that we know serves as a prophecy for Jesus’ reign as King of Kings.  Yet in verse 28, Daniel is “deeply troubled”.  I suppose Daniel might have been troubled because he does not know the outcome.  Followers of Jesus, however, know the outcome. 

At issue is whether we can be at peace, confident that we know the outcome – that regardless of what happens in our daily lives and in the world around us, God reigns, He is in control, He loves us, our time on earth is temporary and we are citizens of Heaven, and that all believers will be in Heaven with Jesus at some point, and we should not be troubled.  Although my focus today is different, my post from a couple of days ago helps as well.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are, that You are King of Kings, yet You left the right hand of God in Heaven, to die on a cross for me – thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such an act and such love.  I do worry, among my many sin.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.

Daniel 6

Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. V3-4

I’ve highlighted in my most recent posts how Daniel was a light to others (see be a light, we are to be a light to others) including kings under whom Daniel served.   Today, I’d like to highlight how, sometimes, there will be those in the world who see you as a threat because of your faith (see Voice of the Martyrs), and this may bring you great harm.  Jesus was also seen as a threat to the Jewish elders and teachers of the law (see Matthew 21:23-27 as just one example). 

More than anything Jesus wants us to love him and love others (see Matthew 22:37-40).  Yet there will be times when others may feel threatened by our love of Him and others.  A couple of things come to mind: (1) Jesus does not promise believers a world without challenges, and (2) it is during these challenges when the power of Jesus becomes more evident.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Daniel is an example where God chooses to protect someone in the face of a threat or challenge.  Yet this may not always be the case – see Acts 7 as Stephen is martyred. Either way, God will either protect us in this world or we will be called home to Heaven (which non-believers may not call protection) – all part of God’s plan.

My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God who loves me and protects me from harm on a daily basis – thank You Jesus.  I don’t know why I am singled out for protection while others experience challenges.  Thank You for your protection and love – yet I am not worthy.  I often fail to be a light to others.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means.

Daniel 5

You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means. v17

Daniel is gifted by God with an ability to interpret dreams and he is called in to do so for Belteshazzar, who now rules after the death of his father Nebuchadnezzar.  What is striking here is that Daniel rejects the gifts bestowed to him by Belteshazzar.  It is not clear whether this was done previously (see Daniel 2:48), but this is consistent with other behavior by Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who all strive to serve and obey God above all. 

We exist to glorify God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who blesses me beyond what I deserve – showering me with gifts every day and pouring out Your love and grace and me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Daniel 4

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble. v37

In my previous post, we saw Nebuchadnezzar begin to recognize the true nature of God as the God who reigns over all.  Today we see Nebuchadnezzar greatly humbled and he makes continued progress towards seeing God for who He truly is.

In verse 27, Daniel interprets a new dream from the king and encourages him to repent, humble himself before God, and to be kind to the oppressed.  Yet we don't see this (verse 28) and Daniel's interpretation of the dream (v19-26) comes to pass and Nebuchadnezzar becomes a beast of the field.  John Piper's team discusses here the arrogance that can lead many of us to be transformed into a beast.  Piper's team writes: ..."we won’t be that impressed with our salvation until we're thoroughly disgusted by the perversion we're saved from".   It's likely Nebuchadnezzar begins to reach this point and in v34-36 he is restored to his throne and offers worship of God.  John Piper does not believe however that Nebuchadnezzar becomes a true convert.

I am left with how destruction awaits us (either now in this life or at the end of our live on judgement day) if we fail to heed God's words for us or if we refuse to submit to Him as our Lord and Savior.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves us and who defeated the sting of sin and death for us.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry and I am often arrogant.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.

Daniel 3

Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way. v29

This chapter is, of course, one which most believers are familiar with; yet on closer inspection certain details are worth greater review and consideration.  Verse 29 is one of these verses I believe.   In the 1st two chapters of Daniel we see Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego being a light for others, and in chapter 3 we see this as well.  However, while Nebuchadnezzar is drawn to God, it appears that he is not FULLY drawn to God to the extent that He recognize that God is God over all.  He decrees that people should not SAY anything against God but does not issue a decree about DOING anything to anger God - such as creating an image before or above God (which Nebuchadnezzar does in verse 1).  There is no mention that Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the idol he created.

God wants ALL of our heart, attention and love - not part of it.  See also posts with the following tags

100% devotion to Jesus, all of your heart, and mind, consequence of partial devotion, partial devotion.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves us and who is worthy of 100% of our devotion, love and attention.  You bless me beyond what I deserve - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love - I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

 

“Do not execute the wise men of Babylon. Take me to the king, and I will interpret his dream for him.”

Daniel 2

“Do not execute the wise men of Babylon. Take me to the king, and I will interpret his dream for him.” v24

There are many remarkable elements to this chapter of Daniel, including how Daniel was calm and at peace in face of grave dangers facing all wise men (v14-16), how Daniel was confident in his God's ability to determine what the king's dream was and how he took his request to God (v16-18), how Daniel interceded on behalf of all the wise men - hoping to spare their lives (v24), and of course how Daniel gave all credit to God for his ability to interpret the kings dream.

Again - just as I posted yesterday - all in all an awesome demonstration of how Daniel understands that God reigns, is in control, that He loves us and does not want to harm us, that we exist to glorify Him, and that our giftings are designed in this regard. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who is before, in, and has created all things, including all of the spiritual gifts all of us have.  You have knit all of us together in wonderful ways just as You have knit each one of us.  Your design is amazing.  Thank for You for the many blessings of experiencing Your gifts.  I am not worth the love You bless me with.  I am weak and lazy.  Please forgive me.  Help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal her of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us bring Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.

 Daniel 1

In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. v20

I am excited to start my reading in the book of Daniel, which is the last of the books of the major prophets.

Daniel is taken captive in Babylonia, and much like Joseph, he is a man of integrity and a man that desires to obey God and follow His will, regardless of the circumstances.  In fact, it is the difficulty of the circumstances that allows God's light to be seen. 

The early church in Thessalonica is another example and encouragement for how all believers can find joy in suffering and therefore be a light to draw others to Him.

You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia— your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10

See also posts on joy in suffering.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are!  I love You and You have blessed me beyond what I deserve.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And the name of the city from that time on will be: the Lord is there.

Ezekiel 48

And the name of the city from that time on will be: the Lord is there. v35

Just as I posted a couple of days ago, chapters 46-48 (the last chapters of the Book of Ezekiel) describe how Israel will be fully restored, including both a physical restoration of the temple in Jerusalem, and a spiritual restoration of Israel's people.  Yet we must remember that what is presented in Ezekiel is a vision of things to come, and more broadly the Bible is not presented chronologically so it is important to try and follow the "arc" of history.  Check this out from John Piper's website, and as well chronological Bibles.

Today, I am reminded how God sent His Son Jesus to die for us and when Jesus rose from the grave He gave us the Holy Spirit who is always with us as God cannot be contained in a building such as a temple - He is with and within us.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are that You sent Your Son for us and we have the Holy Spirit - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such an act of love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I am to be the only inheritance the priests have. You are to give them no possession in Israel; I will be their possession.

Ezekiel 44

I am to be the only inheritance the priests have. You are to give them no possession in Israel; I will be their possession. v28

As God describes for Ezekiel the restoration of the temple, He lays out rules for the priests serving in the temple.  

Similar to the Levitical priest (v15 onward) who must only have God as his possession, I too must count on God and not trust in earthly possessions or to trust in my own ability above Him.  God is with me and He wants me to lean not on myself but on Him.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.  Proverbs 3:5-6

 

I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” Psalm 16:2

 

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are that You love me and that You died for me - that You provide Your Holy Spirit, the church, Your Word, etc. so that I know I am not alone - thank You Jesus!  I am not worthy of all the rich blessings You provide.  I worry far too much.  Please forgive me and help me overcome my worry and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

This is where I will live among the Israelites forever. The people of Israel will never again defile my holy name—neither they nor their kings—by their prostitution and the funeral offerings for their kings at their death.

Ezekiel 43

This is where I will live among the Israelites forever. The people of Israel will never again defile my holy name—neither they nor their kings—by their prostitution and the funeral offerings for their kings at their death. v7

Ezekiel has a vision of the temple's restoration in Jerusalem.  The temple is measured and described in the same detail that went into the temple's original construction. The physical restoration of the temple is matched by a spiritual restoration.

As I posted yesterday, we are intended to live in unity with God and the statement from God in v7 demonstrates God's intention to fulfill a promise he made to David.   God wants us to have freedom from the sting of sin and death so He provides a path of reconciliation through Jesus Christ - this is love and God is faithful because this is what He promised.

My Prayer: Jesus, what an awesome God You are that You came to die for us.  I am overwhelmed by Your love. Thank You!  I am not worthy of such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me for my worry and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then they will know that I am the Lord their God, for though I sent them into exile among the nations, I will gather them to their own land, not leaving any behind. I will no longer hide my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit on the people of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord.

Ezekiel 39

Then they will know that I am the Lord their God, for though I sent them into exile among the nations, I will gather them to their own land, not leaving any behind. I will no longer hide my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit on the people of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord. v28-29

God's justice is not indiscriminate...it is purposeful and out of love.  Ezekiel is used by God to deliver not just a stern message about punishment but also a message of love - this is how chapter 39 ends.

God does not like being separated from His children as we were created to be in unity with Him - this is so from the beginning in the garden of Eden. Sin separates us from God and this separation is our own doing (see also v23-24).  

Yet God does not like being separated from His children so He gathers them to be near Him and offers unity with Him through His Son Jesus Christ - the greatest gift of all time.  We were created to be in unity with God to be His ambassadors for His purpose...any punishment should be seen through this lens as God works through us to prepare us for what He has in mind for us (see also Romans 8:28).

My Prayer: What an awesome God You are that You love me and sent Your Son Jesus to die for me so that I could be free from the sting of sin and death - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love Him.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.

Ezekiel 37

My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord. v12-14

I worry often how Zach and Dustin will fare when they are beyond the walls of my house, when my role of a parent shifts to that of a perhaps distant family member.  

I found this great John Piper resource - Thank You God for this encouragement!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are that You provided not just today's encouragement but also all the many ways You bless me - thank You Jesus.   I am not worth such love and blessings.  I worry - please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes.

Ezekiel 36

It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes. v22-23

As God continues to use Ezekiel to deliver a message of hope to the Israelites, you'll notice several places (not just v22-23, but also v32) where God wants to make it clear that He is in control, and what is most important is that His name be glorified.  Yes, God loves His children and He will bless the Israelites and us as well, but the blessings we experience are purely out of His love and grace for us, not because we deserve it as we all sin (daily!) and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus - what an awesome God You are that You daily pour out Your love and grace for us!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

See, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak sheep with your horns until you have driven them away, I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered.

Ezekiel 34

See, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak sheep with your horns until you have driven them away, I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. v20-22

As part of God's message of Israel's restoration, God delivers a message to the Jewish leaders (see The MacArthur Bible Commentary), including kings, high priests, elders, teachers, etc. most of whom have sought personal gain over leadership of the flock.  In my post yesterday, we read of how God indicates that He will fulfill His promise to David regarding a king (Jesus) who will reign forever.  As an extension of yesterday's post, today I am reminded of several themes, including how we often look to others (friends, family members, politicians, managers/co-workers, etc.) to help us.  These people CAN help us, but we must remember that they are in this position due to God's sovereignty and we should rely on God above all as He will never let us down and He is in control.  Second, I am reminded how we are to remain humble and that God desires us to be last vs first in the sense that God and His desires are more important than our own and we are also to serve others.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who left the right hand of the Father to die for me, to serve others and to provide both a full life here on earth but also an eternal life in Heaven - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love-I worry.  Please forgive me!  Help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.