Aches and Praise Five Hundred & Two

April 23, 2021
 
 

Dear friends,

                                                                                                                                                           
Last week I asked for prayer for Karen as she is having a hard time with seasonal allergies, in addition to having hurt her left knee in a fall earlier this month. Thank you for praying for her. The soreness in her knee has subsided, but she has had a difficult week due to severe allergic reactions. We were surprised to see snow fall, but it is a reminder that life is filled with unexpected events.

One thing that I have learned in recent years is that I am blessed by every book that I read written by Dr. David Jeremiah, who has served as a pastor for many years. In his latest book entitled “Hope: Living Fearlessly in a Scary World” he writes: “One of the most subtle and dangerous errors we can fall into is to view the Bible simply as interesting reading. Yes it’s timeless literature – fascinating, entertaining, and moving. But at all times the Word of God is no mere book. It’s meant to change who we are and how we live. The Bible’s message can’t simply stop with the mind; it must go on to the heart and the will. We are to be ‘doers of the word, and not hearers only’ (James 1:22).”

One man who was determined to live righteously was Daniel. He was among the first captives taken from Jerusalem to Babylon (modern-day Iraq) in 605 BC. An intelligent young man, whose name meant “God is my judge,” Daniel and three of his friends were put in a three-year training course that included learning a new language. In his study Bible, Dr. Jeremiah writes: “Nebuchadnezzar did not simply want to educate these young men so they would think like Babylonians; he wanted to brainwash them into being Babylonians.” One of the many changes the young Jews experienced was being given a new name. Daniel was called Belteshazzar, which meant “Bel protect his life;” Hananiah’s name (“Yahweh is gracious”) was changed to Shadrach (“The command of Aku”); Mishael (“Who is like God?”) received the name Meshach (“Who is what Aku is?”); and Azariah (“Yahweh is my helper”) was known as Abed-Nego (after the god “Nebo”).

Although the Babylonian captors sought to indoctrinate the young men of Israel into their way of thinking and living, Daniel and his friends never wavered in their devotion to God. When Babylon fell, images of the gods Bel and Nebo (or Nabu) would be carried into exile, unable to rescue the inhabitants of that renowned city from their enemies. Dr. Jeremiah notes: “By way of contrast, the Lord would continue to carry and deliver His people (Deuteronomy 32:11).” In reflecting on this, I wonder how often we trust in our material possessions more than in our Father’s faithfulness? God has promised to never leave us or forsake us (Deut. 31:6, 8; Joshua 1:5; and Hebrews 13:5). The following verse – Heb. 13:6 – is one that we ought to remember in the midst of difficulties: “So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’”

Last week, I suggested looking up how many times the expression “Do not be afraid” is found in the Gospel of Luke. If you did so, could you please let me know the total that you found?  

Scripture for the weekend: “I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” Romans 12:1 (NASB)

Thought for the weekend: “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” – Corrie ten Boom

 

By His grace,
 

Steve


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