Pray For Wisdom - Daniel 1-6

Daniel 2:17-19 (ESV)

Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions might not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

The background to the above portion of Daniel falls under Nebuchadnezzar having a dream.  It apparently was a disturbing dream and one that he could not understand.  Therefore he brought in all the wise man, magicians, and sooth-sayers from the kingdom to tell him the dream and the interpretation.   This merry band of men objected to the kings request.  They insisted that the king tell them the dream and then they would give an interpretation.   The king refused and held them all responsible to know both the dream and the interpretation.    They could not and the king threatened to kill them all.   This is where the above text comes into play.   Daniel injects himself into the story and requests to talk to the king.  Daniel promises the king that he will tell him the dream and the interpretation.   Yet, Daniel does not know the dram and interpretation.    Daniel calls for his three friends (who later, by the same king, will be tossed into the fiery furnace) and they laid the problem before God in prayer (praying to their God that would later get Daniel tossed in the lions den).    God reveals to them both the dream and the interpretation.    Daniel and the three go to God in prayer to ask for wisdom and understanding.   God gives it to them. 

James 1:5 (ESV)

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

As James states, coming to God in prayer to ask for understanding and wisdom is an act of faith based upon the faithfulness, goodness and steadfast love of God. 

Psalms 100:5 (ESV)

For the LORD is good;

his steadfast love endures forever,

and his faithfulness to all generations.

We are to come to God in prayer based upon His character and not our own.  The power of collective prayer is unmatched in the world.   

Gracious Words - Proverbs 16

Proverbs 16:24 (ESV)

Gracious words are like a honeycomb,

sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Does our society know the power of "gracious words?" We live in such a harsh society. Our words are carried around in quivers at our side waiting to be shot from the tongue like arrows from a bow. Our bow strings are taut and stand at the ready with hurtful expressions and harmful dialogue. It takes extra effort to say "nice" things. It takes energy to say something that will bring healing to an argument or sweetness to a soul that is hurting; even wanting to hurt you. But, Proverbs 16:24 is never-the-less true. Even though, as James says, our tongues are a powerful weapon and, like a rutter of a ship, stears us in any direction, it has the potential to heal. We can see people who are damaged and injuried that can have their day resurrected with a kind word. We can still a storm with a calm response. Today we can make our speech matter. We can use our tongues in a mighty way to bring healing to the bones of a weary and wicked land. We need to speak pleasant words to those we come across.   If we think of Job's three friends we are reminded of how NOT to do this.   Note what Job says about his friends:  

Job 16:1-2

Then Job answered and said:

“I have heard many such things;

miserable comforters are you all.

Job's friends had committed to come to Job to offer him comfort.   Epic fail!!!   They could have brought words to comfort his suffering.  Instead they used their words as arrows, piercing his soul.  

Worship God - Psalm 93-95

Psalms 95:3-5 (ESV)

For the LORD is a great God,

and a great King above all gods.

In his hand are the depths of the earth;

the heights of the mountains are his also.

The sea is his, for he made it,

and his hands formed the dry land.

Psalm 95 is a Psalm of praise and admonition.  It begins in praise and ends with an admonition to note forsake obeying and praising God.   God is worthy to be praised.  If we didn't just know that the writer gives us some valid reasons to sing out in praise.  No other god even claims to have made the earth.   Man, even in disobedience and unbelief, gives the creation of the world to another god.   Man has decided that the earth just made itself.   But, in the above passage the writer tells us to praise God because He is above all gods BECAUSE He made the earth; the mountains; the sea; the dry land.   Today man worships the earth. Going out to enjoy the earth without recognizing God's splendor in the earth is to worship the creation over the Creator.   Paul stated that man's sin leads him to do just that ... 

Romans 1:22-25 (NASB Strong's)

Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

We are to worship the Creator, not the Creation!

It Is Always God’s Choice - 1 Chronicles 1-4

1 Chronicles 1:43 (ESV)

These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the people of Israel: Bela the son of Beor, the name of his city being Dinhabah.

1 Chronicles 1-4 is like reading an old phone book or computer data based for residents in a certain area.    It is almost entirely names and linages.   There are times the Chronicler’s pen, however, gives way to some nugget of interest concerning a certain person(s) listed.  For instance read here:

1 Chronicles 1:10 (ESV)

Cush fathered Nimrod. He was the first on earth to be a mighty man.

In the above verse we have a significant change in the Chronicler’s approach.  Although the entire four chapter are about the linage of Judah, from all the way back to Abraham’s day, the Chronicler inserts the above mention of Esau (Edom), Jacob’s twin, but older brother.   Remember how this was laid out in Scripture:

Romans 9:13 (ESV)

As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

God, in HIs divine sovereignty, chose Jacob (the younger) over Esau (the older).   In the traditions of that day, the older son would get all the inheritance.    So as the Chronicler is laying out the ancestry of Judah (for the purpose of identifying the kingly line of David ... the theme for the rest of the book). In doing this work he takes time to mention who is not in the line of kingship.   He is pointing out that the kings of Esau were replaced by this long list of kings of Judah, the descendents of Jacob.  

It is importnat to realize that even though this might be just a list of names to us, to God is shows His sovereign will over generations. It shows He has established Judah as His people.   It shows He is not only honoring the covenant He made with Abraham, but how He was honoring it.  God is sovereign and puts up on and takes down another.  It is His choice. 

Psalms 75:7 (ESV)

but it is God who executes judgment,

putting down one and lifting up another.

Keep Your Vow - Leviticus 24-27

Leviticus 27:1-3 (ESV)

Laws About Vows

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, If anyone makes a special vow to the LORD involving the valuation of persons, then the valuation of a male from twenty years old up to sixty years old shall be fifty shekels of silver, according to the shekel of the sanctuary.

We probably would read right past chapter 27 if we had our preferences.   But 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us all Scripture is profitable.  The thought behind this chapter is when a person makes a vow to give something to God, they need to keep it. They can adjust it and can keep a portion back, but it can’t be done in deception. It needs to be done based upon the rules and laws of this chapter.   The Priest are to be the administrators of this practice.   The item vowed was in the control of the person making the vow.   They could offer it out of the will, but had to follow these rules.   A key phrase in the chapter is if the donor wishes to redeem.   The point made this is a willing heart and they can give all or some of the offering.   But it had to be based upon a willing heart and not have deception.  

This is a good background for what happens in Acts 5 with Ananias and his wife Sapphira.  Note:

Acts 5:1-4 (ESV) Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”

They were both killed because of their deception in worship.  They didn’t have to vow their land to the Church.   They did, but lied about it.   And like the rules and laws of Leviticus 27, they died for it.  

When we vow to God it is to be in good conscience and to be done to fulfill what we said we would do.   

Numbers 30:2 (ESV)

If a man vows a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.

Feel free to make a vow or not.  But if you make one, complete the vow the way you vowed it.  

Give God Glory for the Growth in Others - 1 Thessalonians 3-5

1 Thessalonians 3:9-10 (ESV)

For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?

The context of this portion of 1 Thessalonians will help us understand the above words of Paul to this church.  Paul wanted to travel to this church to encourage them.   However, Satan hindered him from going to them:

1 Thessalonians 2:18 (ESV)

because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us.

(If Satan can hinder Paul’s ministry imagine what he can do against ours!)

So since he was hindered, he sent Timothy to encourage them.   In this section, Timothy has now returned to Paul and informed him of their great faith and unwavering love for Jesus and for Paul.   This is where the above long sentence comes in to shape our thinking.  Paul is asking a rhetorical question.  He wants to put into their minds how much thanks he would have to pour out to God for this amazing news and joy he is receiving as he continues to pray that he would be able, himself, further supply their growth, coming to them.   Being absent from them does not stop him from praising God for their growth.  It gives him much joy.   Note how another New Testament writer said the same thing when he heard about those of the faith living strong in faith:

  3 John 1:4 (ESV)

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Paul, like John, saw the growth in those they served and that gave him much joy.   We can get excited about many things in this world.   But watching others grow in Christ ought to be at the top of our list.   And Paul knew that the power for their growth came from God.  That is why he is breaking out in thanksgiving.  He did praise Timothy.   He learned that others can do this work, as well.  But the glory went to God.   We cannot steal God’s glory when the saints grow because of the works of our ministry.   Only God can do the growth.  We are simply the voice.  Don’t steal God’s glory. If we do, it will also steal our joy.   We rejoice when we see God do a work in the lives of others.  

We Are Not the Light - John 1-2

John 1:8 (ESV)

He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

It would be a great study to find out how many teachers, preachers and/or ministers of the Christian faith actually believe what John the Baptist said in the above verse.  If anyone had a right to claim fame and fortune it would be John the Baptist.   Note what Jesus said about him:

Matthew 11:11 (ESV)

Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

He even declared him the coming of Elijah:

Matthew 17:12-13 (ESV)

But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

Too many people in church leadership act like they are the light.   Notice what John the Baptist would further say to keep himself in this right state of mind about himself and his ministry:

John 1:15 (ESV)

(John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”)

John 1:20 (ESV)

He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”

He knew he was just a voice:

John 1:23 (ESV)

He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

He knew he was not even worthy to untie Jesus sandals:

John 1:26-27 (ESV)

John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”

He knew that it was Jesus who came to take away the sin of the world, not him:

John 1:29 (ESV)

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

The next time a Bible teacher, Church pastor, or anyone who leads the church and ministers in the gospel puffs out their chest in pride, point them to John the Baptist.   Tell them to see that John is the perfect picture about how to characterize their ministry and how to think of themselves.   They are NOT THE CHRIST.