Yahweh

Sketched X Day 13 Dinner & Identity

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Genesis 43:15-45:15
John 14:9-11
John 13:1-17
Luke 24:13-35

Sketched X, Day 13

After all this time….
Thirteen years (Genesis 37:2, Genesis 41:46) spent wondering what would become of me. Years of wondering what had become of those who had sold me into slavery – you, my half-brothers. (Genesis 37:12-28) Now here you are, back for more grain. (Genesis 43:1-14)

This time I won’t be rough with you as I was at your last visit when I desperately needed to know if your hearts had truly repented. (Genesis 42:9-20) Instead, I will continue to show kindness like I did as you returned home to our father. (Genesis 42:25-26)
I will instruct my servant to invite you to the noon meal. 

I see my brother Benjamin (Genesis 35:24) has returned with you, as I had previously instructed. (Genesis 42:20) How my heart is both joyful and heavy. I missed so much of his life while I served Potiphar and sat in prison. (Genesis 39, Genesis 41:1) O Benjamin! Let me retreat to my room as I am overwhelmed to see him as a mature young man. (Genesis 43:30)

I want to reveal myself to you, my brothers, on this visit, but I also want to continue to test your hearts. You were honest with my servant about the money I returned to you, and you gave more care to Benjamin on the journey here than you did to me that fateful day. Maybe you have learned. But how will you handle favor? Will you be jealous, like you were when our father favored me with the coat? (Genesis 37:3-4) Let us see.

First I arranged you in birth order. (Genesis 43:33) I knew that would alarm you. Then I gave my brother Benjamin five times more food and drink than the others.
But you did not get upset and for that I was overjoyed. (Genesis 44:34)
I enjoyed my time with you, but I needed to prepare for my final test. Well, not my final test, but Yahweh’s. It is He who is guiding and obstructing me in how I deal with you brothers.

As you left to return to our father, I sent my servant after you to accuse you of thievery. (Genesis 44:1-2) Many would think you are thieves, stealing my freedom and so many years of my life. But you stole nothing. Not this day, nor the day you sold me into slavery. It was all part of God’s plan, and I intended to share this truth with you if you passed my final test.

When my servant stopped you and found the cup in Benjamin’s bag I had placed there, you returned to me, not angry and indignant, but humble! You fell to the ground and bowed before me, (Genesis 44:1-14) just like in the dream that made you hate me enough to sell me. (Genesis 37:5-11) In that moment, you were more humble than I had been when I shared the dream.

And then Judah. O Judah! You mentioned I was dead, but I was not. I was right before you. But despite still holding onto that story of what happened to me, you, above all, amazed me. You came to me with humility, a sense of responsibility and dare I say love and compassion. (Genesis 44:18-34)

You offered your very life for my brother Benjamin. You offered your life to prevent our father from any further grief. I saw none of that before, but now, now, my brother, I see the change. You passed my test. All of you passed.

Now, I weep as I reveal myself to you brothers. Yes, I tricked you, but it wasn’t done in vengeance or hate. I sense your worry, but I say to you, “…don’t be grieved or angry with yourselves for selling me here, because God sent me ahead of you to preserve life.” (Genesis 45:5) Brothers, I love you in spite of your actions.

And now, I await your return with my father, Israel. How I have missed him! How I have missed all of you! My soul rejoices for the plans of Yahweh, for they are always true and right. Now hurry my brothers and bring our father to Egypt, where he will be well cared for and Yahweh will be glorified.

John: Joseph invited his brothers to a meal to reveal who he was. We see Jesus openly reveal who He is at a meal, but without any trickery in John 14. Joseph used trickery to confirm his brothers’ heart intentions, but Jesus had no need for such tactics. He simply served them humbly and lovingly by washing His disciples’ feet. (John 13:1-17)

Cleopas: Joseph went to great lengths to reveal to his brothers who he was, with the big reveal at the noon meal. I wonder if they sensed it before he told them? As I walked the road to Emmaus, I felt something, a recognition. But it was at the meal that He, Jesus, fully revealed Himself. And it was my great privilege to truly see the God who keeps on revealing Himself to humanity through our telling of Him. (Luke 24:13-35)

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A Note About Sketched
In this series, we are stepping into the shoes of various characters throughout history. Some are biblical, some are well-known in modern day times, and some are people our writers know personally. We do our best to research the culture and times surrounding these individuals to give an accurate representation of their first-person perspectives on life and the world, but we can’t be 100% accurate. “Sketched” is our best interpretation of how these characters view(ed) God, themselves, and the world around them. Our hope is that by stepping into their everyday, we will see our own lives a little differently!
Enjoy!
And keep watching for Sketched Themes to pop up throughout the year!

Join the GT Community and share your thoughts!

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Sketched X Week Three! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Sketched X!

Sketched X Day 8 Dreams & Designs

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Genesis 41:1-32
Psalm 105:20
1 Kings 17:1-16
Daniel 5
Acts 10:1-33

Sketched X, Day 8

Something was amiss.

Our morning rations, never a priority here in the dungeons, arrived even later than usual. With shaking hands, Abasi, a young kitchen servant, fumbled the basket and water jug to the sandy ground.

In my role as overseer of the other prisoners, Abasi and I interacted regularly and had struck up a friendship; his behavior today was decidedly odd.

Meeting my eyes for a brief second, he whispered urgently,
“They’re coming for you.”

The best days in the life of a prisoner are marked by monotonous drudgery, and with this unusual warning, I felt dread settle over me. 

Abasi scurried away, and it wasn’t long before I heard confirmation of his prediction in the rattle of armor and tandem thud of marching feet descending to the dungeons.

“Yahweh,” I flung a quick prayer heavenward, “is this the end?”

A few hours later, I found myself standing before Pharaoh’s great throne. A crowd of courtiers ringed the pavilion, their murmurs dying into silence as Pharaoh raised his hand. Breathless, I waited.

When the guards had escorted me not to my execution, but to a sumptuous bath where I’d been cleansed, shaved, and dressed in fine clothes–luxuries I’d nearly forgotten existed–I’d been able to discover my sudden removal from prison was motivated by a series of disturbing dreams. Pharaoh’s disturbing dreams.

Dreams. Again.

Several years ago, I’d vowed I was finished with dreams. They brought nothing but intense suffering and soul-crushing disappointment. Never again, I’d promised myself, would I speak of dreams or their interpretations.

“I have had a dream,” Pharaoh’s voice rang out. “And no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said about you that you can hear a dream and interpret it.” (Genesis 41:15)

My heart plummeted through the smooth obsidian floor on which I stood.
Closing my eyes, I swallowed hard.
“Yahweh,” my mind cried. “What should I do?!”

Suddenly, I was back where it all began, in my father’s tents. I watched myself, decades younger, interrupt the family meal to describe my vivid dreams.

As the scenes I’d re-lived a thousand times played out before my eyes, the familiar narrative replayed. I viewed my brothers as demons, driven by the threat of my dreams to wreak incomprehensible cruelty on my younger, defenseless self. But this time, the narrative began to shift and my eyes were open to new insights from the Lord. 

Suddenly, I saw pride snaking around my heart and spilling from my mouth in impetuous, thoughtless words. 

Suddenly, I realized that, as my father’s favorite son, I’d been given more voice and power than was wise for such an immature, zealous boy. I’d abused these, never once considering what words, context, or timing would be appropriate for sharing  my dreams . . . or even if Yahweh was leading me to share. 

Suddenly, I understood the dreams were not the cause of my suffering.
My brothers’ sin . . . and my own, I saw for the first time . . . had landed me in that cistern.
In the years that followed, my voice and power had been lost. 

Instantly, my mind returned to the dungeon. 

Unjustly imprisoned, I’d grabbed at a chance to free myself by interpreting the dreams of members of Pharaoh’s court. Again, I saw my interactions with sudden clarity.

I’d pinned my hopes for freedom on a fellow prisoner, too caught up in protesting my innocence and decrying my victimhood to seek guidance from Yahweh. I’d planned for my release, and spent days rehearsing the speech I’d give when I was exonerated. 

But days turned into years, and my plans fell apart.
Overcome by hopelessness, I decided I was finished with dreams.
They were nonsense; how could they possibly be part of Yahweh’s plans?

But . . .
What if I’d misunderstood Yahweh’s purpose in His dreams?
What if Yahweh sent them as assurance of His plans, inviting me to trust His faithfulness and power despite my confusion and suffering?

What if dreams were a tool in Yahweh’s hands,
which He used to work His designs for my life and His world?

Suppose, instead of spelling disaster, dreams were a divine kindness,
a call to partner with Yahweh on His mission?
What if Yahweh used dreams and interpretations as part of His plan to bring justice and salvation to the world?

The impatient clang of the Pharaoh’s serpent scepter against the floor brought me back to the present.

Trust Me.
My plans will not fail.
Speak.
His words reverberated through my spirit.

Drawing upon what I’d learned, both in my moment of sudden understanding and throughout my time in Egypt, I spoke.

Through me, Yahweh spoke words of prophecy and forewarning.
He revealed a plan of kindness, provision, and salvation.
Yahweh’s faithfulness to fulfill His plans is unfailing! (Psalm 36:5-9)

Elijah
King Ahab has led the people of Israel into desperate sin, so drought strangles our land. Yet Yahweh’s goodness is unfailing. He has saved me from Ahab’s search parties and satisfied all my needs. I cling to hope, knowing He is working out His plan to pursue and rescue His people. (1 Kings 17:1-16)

Queen of Babylon
Like the Cupbearer who finally remembered Joseph, I recalled a young prophet who could explain the inexplicable. When a message appeared in the air as King Belshazzar desecrated the holy instruments of the Hebrew God during a debauched festival, the prophet revealed it as a warning of the kingdom’s impending collapse. In His kindness, the Hebrew God offered a last chance for repentance, but Belshazzar refused. Within hours, he was slain by a rival. This Hebrew God’s plans are unfailing. (Daniel 5)

Cornelius
In my dream, the Hebrew God instructed me to send for a leader of The Way, named Simon Peter. Within four days, Simon Peter stood before me and taught about the Messiah, inviting me and my household to faith in Him. Though I didn’t understand them at the time, I now know God’s plans are unfailing! (Acts 10:1-33)

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A Note About Sketched
In this series, we are stepping into the shoes of various characters throughout history. Some are biblical, some are well-known in modern day times, and some are people our writers know personally. We do our best to research the culture and times surrounding these individuals to give an accurate representation of their first-person perspectives on life and the world, but we can’t be 100% accurate. “Sketched” is our best interpretation of how these characters view(ed) God, themselves, and the world around them. Our hope is that by stepping into their everyday, we will see our own lives a little differently!
Enjoy!
And keep watching for Sketched Themes to pop up throughout the year!

Join the GT Community and share your thoughts!

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Sketched X Week Two! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Sketched X!

Sketched X Day 5 Injustice Upon Injustice

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Isaiah 30:15-22
Genesis 37:12-36
Genesis 39:1-20
Acts 8:26-40

Sketched X, Day 5

Joseph
My body racked with pain and it shook violently. Of their own volition, sobs overtook my frame. My legs could not sustain my weight and I crumbled beneath my grief. I gasped for air, my ribs pressed in, and I tasted the metallic hint of blood where my own teeth had crushed my tongue in anguish. The pain was too much. My fists clenched and opened rhythmically as I furiously pounded the hardpacked earth beneath me.

No, I wasn’t being tortured by enemy forces. No whip lashed my back. My head was not bowed by blows to my brow. The agony inside threatened to swallow me whole.

Injustice upon injustice was mine.
“Yahweh!” “Where! “Are!” “You!”
Each word punched the air as I screamed, the stone walls deafly pressing my agony back upon my ears.
Other prisoners banged on their bars to stop my clamor, but I didn’t care. What did it matter? My only hope of escape had flown away, the stones seemed tighter every day, and the memories of old dreams mocked me every time I closed my eyes.

My brothers’ sheaves bowing down to mine, then theirs turned to laugh at me with disdain.
My beautiful coat paraded as a king’s and then covered in goat’s blood.
The stars encircled me and then my embers exploded into oblivion.

Why would you mock and humble me, Yahweh?!
I obeyed you!
I listened to Your voice and believed You when You gave me dreams.
I was faithful to You and didn’t give in to temptation with Potiphar’s wife!
I sought You, not myself, for the answers to other prisoners’ dreams.

AND WHAT HAS MY OBEDIENCE GOTTEN ME?!
Injustice Upon Injustice

Philip
“I don’t understand,” the Ethiopian continued as he turned his eyes from the scroll to meet mine. “Who was despised? Why should we bother if he was rejected?”

Instantly, gruesome images and horrific sounds assaulted my mind’s eye as Isaiah’s centuries-old prophesies had played out right before me days before. The Spirit of Christ living within me had brought me to this Gentile Ethiopian’s chariot because he needed to know the truth. He needed to meet the risen Christ that Isaiah had foretold would come to suffer.

As the scenes in my mind flashed, God’s Spirit inside loosed my tongue and I explained Isaiah’s words.

“His body was wracked with pain as the Roman whip bit into his flesh, tearing skin away and exposing the bones of His spine and ribs. His wrists bled profusely where He was tied to the whipping post. The cries of a man near death hung in the air that morning, haunting all of us. The whip was not enough, of course”, I continued, not even seeing the Ethiopian beside me, for I could only see the scarcely recognizable body of Jesus in my mind.

“Thorns pierced His brow,” I went on, knowing I could do nothing to stop my voice from shaking. “Blood. So much blood, it was everywhere. But even the nails piercing innocent flesh and the wretched pain they brought, were nothing compared to the agony inside Him as He was separated from the Father as He bore our sin.”

I caught my breath and fixed my eyes on the Ethiopian. He must understand. “He was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities.” (Isaiah 53:5)

I made no attempt to stop the flood of tears now streaming down my face as I repeated Jesus’ anguished words from the cross, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?!” (Matthew 27:46)

The man’s eyes still clouded with confusion, so I begged the Spirit to make it clear to him as I said, “Isaiah’s prophesied Messiah is Jesus. He took our place, took our punishment for our sin and suffered injustice upon injustice, that we might be freely restored to God forever.”

Joseph
Slowly my heavy weeping slowed, my body spent. Dirt that had mixed with my tears and saliva caked my face. Broken and shaking, I lay silent, wondering if the Lord would hear my cries.

Unsuspectingly, an early memory of my father wafted over me like a welcome embrace. I saw my young, boyish self sitting at his feet and heard his strong voice warming me as he told me again how the Lord had come to him in one of his dreams. My eyes were alight with wonder that Yahweh would speak to Father and unwittingly my breath caught in my chest as I remembered one particular phrase, “I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you.” (Genesis 31:12) The God of Dreams SEES injustice. Surely, Yahweh longs to reverse the curse of injustice and usher in His favor just as He did with my Father!

I uncurled my frame and sat upright, wiping my face and breathing deeply, calmly, as if with new life. Yahweh sees. As I held onto this truth, repeating it over and over, memories came flooding back of how the God who sees injustice and gives Himself for the righteous had acted for me and generations before me.

Yahweh was indeed a faithful God and deep inside, I knew my story was not over here surrounded by stone, dirt, and darkness. He would finish the plans He had for me; I would wait for Him.

I bowed my head as fresh tears of gratitude washed my face. My once-clenched fists now lifted upward with palms raised in worship to the God of all Faithfulness who would take my injustices and finish the work to make me whole!

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A Note About Sketched
In this series, we are stepping into the shoes of various characters throughout history. Some are biblical, some are well-known in modern day times, and some are people our writers know personally. We do our best to research the culture and times surrounding these individuals to give an accurate representation of their first-person perspectives on life and the world, but we can’t be 100% accurate. “Sketched” is our best interpretation of how these characters view(ed) God, themselves, and the world around them. Our hope is that by stepping into their everyday, we will see our own lives a little differently!
Enjoy!
And keep watching for Sketched Themes to pop up throughout the year!

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Sketched X Week One! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
Click the above image for today’s Digging Deeper!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Sketched X

Sketched X Day 3 Shepherd Boy

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Genesis 37:1-19
Psalm 105:7-11
1 Samuel 16
John 10:11-18
Luke 2:25-35

Sketched X, Day 3

The sun burned and sweat dripped down my back as I trudged home. We were supposed to be shepherding our father’s flocks, but Father needed to know about my brothers’ behavior. It’s my duty to give him an honest report of what’s happening, which is usually less than honorable.

I’ve watched the effect of Yahweh’s presence on my family. I remember how Father’s gait changed following his encounter with God one night. I was a young boy, but I know he hasn’t always walked with a limp.

I’ve seen with my own eyes the place where Father entered into a covenant with Yahweh at Bethel.  (Genesis 35:1-15) I know the passion in Father’s eyes when he speaks of the covenant passed down since Great Grandfather Abraham. I know our family is flawed with three step-mothers, ten step-brothers, and a step-sister; what else can be expected?

Despite the chaos of home, I know Yahweh is real. I know He has called our family to greatness, especially me. Because of His calling I must always be honest, even if I anger my brothers. I must uphold my duty to Yahweh and to Father.

Shortly after bringing Father the ill report on my brothers, Father gave me a special robe. It displayed every color of the rainbow and featured elaborate stitching and intricate details. I’d never seen a robe quite like this one. (Genesis 37:2-4)

Part of me filled with deep dread when he gave me the coat. My brothers were already livid with jealousy; everyone knows I’m Father’s favorite. When I was younger, they used to joke about Jacob, our father, being Grandfather’s favorite, but comments of Father’s favoritism toward me aren’t jovial; they drip with bitterness.

This wonderful and exuberant coat, I really love it, and I love Father deeply. I don’t want to disappoint him, and I’m honored he knows me well enough to design a robe I’d thoroughly enjoy.

So, I wore the robe with pride, but the familiar pit settled in my stomach when I saw my brothers’ faces. It’s hard to feel confident and loved when the only words they speak are cruel. They purposefully trip me, ignore me completely, or mimic my every move.

Still, Yahweh reminds me of His hand on me. One night I had a dream of such vivid brilliance that I woke up breathless. It surely meant something! I felt a reassurance deep in my soul: Yahweh had something special planned for our family, like Great Grandfather Abraham and Grandfather Isaac promised.

Perhaps if I told my brothers this dream, they’d feel Yahweh speaking to them, too.
Maybe they’d know He had an important plan for our family and even for me!
Maybe, just maybe, they wouldn’t hate me as much if they knew Yahweh would use me for something great.

“Brothers! Listen to my dream! It was so real and the colors so magnificent, it surely came from Yahweh!” I told them I’d dreamed we were binding sheaves in the field when my sheaf arose and stood upright.

At first, their faces held a mixture of amusement and leariness, but when I told them their sheaves encircled mine and bowed down, their faces reddened, burning with anger.

“Oh, so you think you’re going to reign over us? You’re so full of yourself, you think we’re all going to bow to you? Ha!” They angrily laughed at me, then turned away. They hadn’t believed this dream came from Yahweh at all.

A few days later, I had another dream. Like the last, my dream was so vivid I had to squint from the brightness of the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowing down to me. I woke up wondering if I’d even been dreaming.

Perhaps if I told my brothers about this dream, too, they’d believe my first dream and they’d realize the importance of these dreams! Yahweh would use our family in mighty ways and He had a specific purpose for me!

This time I shared my dream while Father and my brothers were together. However, my face flushed a flaming red this time, not from anger, but in shame as Father rebuked me. Even he, who knew me so well, didn’t understand the significance of this dream.

It has been a few weeks since my last dream and once again, sweat drips down my face as I head toward Shechem to check on my brothers for Father. To honor Father, I donned my colorful robe and headed out to see my brothers, even though I know they’ll be angry to see me.

David: While King David wouldn’t descend from Abraham’s lineage for a few hundred years, he and Joseph were both the younger of many older brothers, who shepherded their father’s flocks. They both would start off as unassuming teenage shepherds who would one day shepherd entire nations with which God entrusted them. (1 Samuel 16)

Simeon: God spoke to Simeon through visions over one thousand years after He spoke to Joseph through dreams. Joseph would see his dreams come to fruition and eventually understand the meaning of them; so would Simeon. God is never-changing and the God who gives visions can be trusted. He is a promise-keeper. (Luke 2:25-35)

Jesus: Some scholars count as many as 105 similarities between Joseph and Jesus. As adolescents, both Jesus and Joseph were shepherds; however, Jesus was already shepherding the hearts of those around Him when He was just twelve years old. (Luke 2:41-52) There are many references to shepherding throughout the Bible, and all of them point to Jesus as The Good Shepherd. He is loved fiercely by His Father and faithfully cares for the sheep entrusted to Him (that’s us!). (John 10:11-18)

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Join the GT Community and share your thoughts!

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Sketched X Week One! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Sketched X!

The GT Weekend! ~ Champion Week 2

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The GT Weekend!

At Gracefully Truthful, weekends aren’t for “checking out”.
Use this time to invite the Almighty’s fullness into you life in a deeper way!
Saturdays and Sundays are a chance to
reflect, rest, and re-center our lives onto Christ.
Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with other women in prayer,
rest your soul in reflective journaling,
and spend time worshiping the Creator who
longs for intimacy with each of us!

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) On average, authors will write up to ten drafts before they are ready to publish a finished novel. Each time life has thrown you something of a plot twist, have you found yourself reaching for a pen, furiously rewriting what the next chapter of your life should look like, desperate to get it right this time? Well, I have a secret to share with you. Just as He was the author of Esther’s story, Yahweh is the Author of yours, too, so you can put down your pen and take a deep breath. And unlike the literary greats of our time, it only took God one draft to get it right. We can trust God with our own stories because His good works are all around us. His characters illustrate imperfection, gumption, disobedience, obedience, pride, humility, fear, courage, doubt, and faith. That is to say, His characters are perfectly human. And the best part of all of His stories? Each one ends with redemption. So the next time you find yourself reeling from one of life’s great heartaches, turn to your favorite story in the Bible and remind yourself who is writing your story.

http://www.gracefullytruthful.com/champion-day-6-behind-the-scenes/

2) It is easy in our world, today, to forget that we are lacking. Self-fulfillment is the message preached in every corner, but we have limitations, weaknesses, struggles. We are insufficient. God is what connects us from where we are to where we are meant to be. The thing is, God also values free will. This means every day from the moment we wake up, we are faced with the choice: do I act in God’s name, or do I act according to my flesh (the world)? Daniel shows us what it’s like to face the majority culture and say no for God’s sake. He abstains from the easy meat and wine of the king (Daniel 1:8-16); he calls out the incapable Babylonian priests and magicians, pointing to God for wisdom (Daniel 2:27-30); he worships God despite the fatal repercussions of breaking the king’s new decree (Daniel 6:7;10-13). These choices don’t make Daniel’s life easy, nor does God promise to make our lives easy, but rather He promises to never leave us (Deuteronomy 31:8); He promises to make us fruitful (Jeremiah 17:7-8); He promises us eternal life with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16). Which choice will you make today?

http://www.gracefullytruthful.com/champion-day-8-fearful-and-fierce/

3) Just as Daniel showed us that each day we are offered a choice to follow God, king David shows us repentance will also be a daily battle. David gets quite the rap as far as Godly men are concerned, but make no mistake, he was just as broken and sinful as we are. What David does so well, though, is honest repentance. Let’s visit Psalm 51 to get a closer look at how he does this. At the time of writing this psalm, David has just coveted a loyal soldier’s wife, knocked her up, and had the soldier killed so he can marry the woman and hide the unlawful pregnancy (2 Samuel 11). Yikes. How does David even start to address this mess? Well, he starts with asking for forgiveness from God, relying wholly on God’s mercy and compassion. Then he admits his sin without trying to hide any of it from God. David recognizes that of all the people he hurt when he sinned, his relationship with God suffered the most. David continues by asking God to renew his heart and recognizes that God wants our broken spirits and hearts more than He desires physical sacrifices. The next time you find yourself in need of repentance, look at Psalm 51 as a reminder of how to ask God for forgiveness. Remember that your words matter less than your humility, honesty, and a willing spirit to turn from sin and back to God.

http://www.gracefullytruthful.com/champion-day-10-casting-out-the-shadows/

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Philippians 1:6, 9-11 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

“I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (…) And I pray this: That your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.”

Prayer Journal
Yahweh, I come to You today with a solemn heart for life troubles me. I cling to the promise You have made to always be with me (Deuteronomy 31:8) and I know, Lord, that even in times of lamentation I can be joyful in God my savior (Habakkuk 3: 17-18). So I lay my sin bare in order that I may receive the righteousness You have offered through Your Son, Jesus Christ, and I seek your compassionate, merciful heart just as David did in Psalm 51. I pray that when I get lost in the words of the page I am living now, I will be reminded of the great stories You have woven throughout history and the redemptive and eternal ending that waits patiently at the close of mine. I know you will finish what you have started in me according to Your own timeline. The troubles of today will prepare me for Your glory tomorrow. So God, I ask that You give me the discipline to obey, the humility to submit to Your will, and the patience to see Your plan through, God. It is in Your Son’s name that I pray, Amen.

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Sacrifice Day 1 Eden’s Sacrifice

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Genesis 2
Genesis 3
Ephesians 2:1-10
John 18:1-12

Sacrifice, Day 1

Sovereign.

The supreme or highest in power, superior to all others. 

Scripture often portrays God as the One who rules over all things. His most common proper name, Yahweh, is regularly translated Lord in English, and found thousands of times in the Bible. So, to discuss the sovereignty of God is to discuss His lordship.

When we consider the Biblical concept of divine sovereignty or lordship, the components of God’s control, authority, and presence stand out (John Frame, The Doctrine of God). God is absolutely sovereign. The Bible starts with God, “In the beginning, God [. . .]” (Genesis 1:1) There could be no glorious gospel of Jesus bearing our sins, without the glorious sovereignty of God.

In His sovereignty, God foresaw Adam and Eve’s sin.
He created them anyway, in His own image, to bring glory to Himself.
Just as humankind’s choice to pursue self over God was foreknown by God, Jesus’ crucifixion, and resulting atonement for our sin, was foreordained by God as well.
The crucifixion of Christ is the greatest sacrifice of the greatest love in the history of the world. (John 15:13)

God’s glory is displayed in the way He chose to create humanity, including allowing for our sinful nature. God weaves the allowable reality of sin with His perfect plan and uses it all for good.

Hundreds of years before Jesus would walk the the earth, the prophet Isaiah revealed how He would endure the cross for the joy of restored relationship with His creation.

“When you make [Jesus] a guilt offering,
[. . . ]the Lord’s pleasure will be accomplished.
After His anguish, He will see light and be satisfied.” (Isaiah 53:10-11)

The ultimate exhibition of God’s glory was at the cross, where His justice and mercy met.
As I ponder the weight of sin, I am looking at my own life. Just in the past forty-eight hours, I chose to put my wants over submission to my spouse; I usurped his God-given place as head of our family. In another situation, I am struggling with harboring unforgiveness in my heart against a sister in Christ. I know this is not pleasing to God.

I am not alone in these battles against sin.
Scripture reveals how the pattern of sin established in Eden pervades every single life.

“In this way, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all people, because all sinned.” (Romans 5:12)
Yet in His sovereignty, God decided the story wouldn’t end in a world lost to sin.
Instead, He wrote sacrifice into the story of His creation.
In Eden, as Adam and Eve stood awash in shame before their Creator God,
He made the very first sacrifice.

“The Lord God made clothing from skins for the man and his wife, and He clothed them.” (Genesis 3:21)

One of His own wonderful creatures was sacrificed to cover Adam and Eve’s nakedness.
And so sacrifice became a major theme of the salvation story, showing up throughout the Bible’s narrative, both in the Old Testament (Leviticus 1, for example) and New Testament.

“But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

We understand Christ’s death on the cross was the ultimate sacrifice, and as recipients of such lavish love, we are compelled to emulate Him in our everyday lives. God desires us to be living sacrifices.

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.” (Romans 12:1)

A biblical sacrifice pleases God.
It is sacrifice of self, with a heart of surrender to God’s ways, that prioritizes the advancement of God’s kingdom, welcoming God’s purpose over our own wants or plans.
It is life, lived in conjunction with God’s will.

Today, we have taken a brief look at sacrifice from its origin in Eden, to Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on our behalf, to our own living sacrifices of true worship to our sovereign, glorious, loving God. My hope is we come away with a deeper gratitude for, and devotion to our God, who overcame the power of sin and death by sacrificing Himself for His beloved!

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Advent Day 11 A Shepherd’s Heart

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Ezekiel 34:1-16
Isaiah 40:9-11
Psalm 23
1 Samuel 17:34-37
John 10:11-18

Advent, Day 11

As you read these words, we find ourselves once again in the midst of the Advent season, and in this particular Journey Theme, we turn our eyes backwards from the first nativity to see what came before.

This truly is my favorite time of the year (followed, of course, by fall and all things pumpkin spice – yes, I’m one of those people!). As much as I love this time of year, I’m also quite well-acquainted with the stress associated with all the holiday hustle and bustle. We as women (and especially if we’re also moms) may find ourselves believing we must be all things to all people during Advent. We burden ourselves with unrealistic expectations and over-the-top standards of making all the cookies, hosting all the parties, partaking in all the activities, doing all the crafts, and more.

Eventually, we find we are no substitute for the One Who truly is all-sufficient, Christ Himself, Whose first coming we celebrate during Advent.

Just as we realize we are a shoddy substitute for the King of the Universe, so, too, Israel realized what a shoddy substitute human “shepherds” can be for the One True Shepherd!

The prophet Ezekiel proclaimed, “The word of the Lord came to me: ‘Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy, and say to them, “This is what the Lord GOD says to the shepherds: Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who have been feeding themselves! Shouldn’t the shepherds feed their flock?”’” (Ezekiel 34:1-2)

Those whom the Lord had given positions of leadership (metaphorical shepherds) had instead turned on the people of Israel and done everything but protect and shepherd them. Contrast this with the prophet Isaiah’s words describing the Messiah, whose coming Advent commemorates:

“He protects His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them in the folds of His garment. He gently leads those that are nursing.” (Isaiah 40:11)

Even as Israel waited with great anticipation for the coming of this true and tender Shepherd, the Israelite David,  who ultimately identified Yahweh as his personal shepherd, was raised up by God to shepherd His people in an earthly sense. As king of Israel working in God’s stead to shepherd His people, David relied on the One True Shepherd for the ability to perform this important task. Instead of trusting himself and his ability to care and guard Israel, He trusted the Father God to lead him as he led Israel. David knew he alone could not possibly be all things to all people.

When faced with an enemy who seemed unconquerable, David proclaimed,
“Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine
will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” (1 Samuel 17:36)

When the going got tough and trial upon trial came up,
David repeatedly relied upon the One whom He referred to as
“The Lord, my Shepherd.” (Psalm 23:1)
King David understood his position, a God-given one, was under God’s protection and authority, even as he lived in anticipation of the One True Shepherd, King Jesus.

When King Jesus came, He proclaimed of Himself,
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)

The One Whose coming we commemorate and celebrate this month is not only a shepherd. He is a good shepherd and, as a good shepherd, He lays down His life for each of us.

As the promised One True Shepherd, Jesus sacrificed His own life for the sheep.
While we celebrate the joy of Advent as a Babe in the manager, the ultimate purpose of this Advent was yet to come at the empty graveside which Christ’s once-dead body had abandoned to life. Christmas Advent is beautiful because it leads us to an empty tomb, a defeated enemy, and a restored eternity with our Father!

Easter is possible because of Christ’s obedience and deference to the Father in full submission. He was a good shepherd because He did as the Father instructed. Just as David, king and shepherd of Israel, relied on God to shepherd his heart, so we see this perfectly fulfilled in Christ as He submitted to the Father. In the meantime, though, while we still find ourselves months away from Easter and smack dab in the hustle and bustle of the Advent season, I want to remind us of something: it isn’t all on us, just like it wasn’t all on David or Jesus.

Yes, we all want to make this season special for our loved ones, but let’s avoid stressing ourselves with all the things we’re “supposed to do” that we set ourselves as the One True Shepherd, the ultimate One to care for and tend to our people in this season. Reserve that seat for the only One who can truly fill it, the Christ Whose advent we celebrate.

After all, our calling is not to break ourselves in the process of shepherding others. Rather, we are called to point others to the One True Shepherd Who was already broken for them.

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Worship IX Day 9 Misplaced Worship: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Misplaced Worship!

The Questions

1) What is the purpose of Isaiah’s questions in verses 12-17?

2) What does the author want us to understand from the turning point in verses 18-20?

3) What is being compared in verses 22-26 and what implications are to be understood from it?

Isaiah 40:12-26

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand
or marked off the heavens with the span of his hand?
Who has gathered the dust of the earth in a measure
or weighed the mountains on a balance
and the hills on the scales?
13 Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord,
or who gave him counsel?
14 Who did he consult?
Who gave him understanding
and taught him the paths of justice?
Who taught him knowledge
and showed him the way of understanding?
15 Look, the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
they are considered as a speck of dust on the scales;
he lifts up the islands like fine dust.
16 Lebanon’s cedars are not enough for fuel,
or its animals enough for a burnt offering.
17 All the nations are as nothing before him;
they are considered by him
as empty nothingness.

18 With whom will you compare God?
What likeness will you set up for comparison with him?
19 An idol?—something that a smelter casts
and a metalworker plates with gold
and makes silver chains for?
20 A poor person contributes wood for a pedestal
that will not rot.
He looks for a skilled craftsman
to set up an idol that will not fall over.

21 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
Has it not been declared to you
from the beginning?
Have you not considered
the foundations of the earth?
22 God is enthroned above the circle of the earth;
its inhabitants are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like thin cloth
and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
23 He reduces princes to nothing
and makes judges of the earth like a wasteland.
24 They are barely planted, barely sown,
their stem hardly takes root in the ground
when he blows on them and they wither,
and a whirlwind carries them away like stubble.

25 “To whom will you compare me,
or who is my equal?” asks the Holy One.
26 Look up and see!
Who created these?
He brings out the stars by number;
he calls all of them by name.
Because of his great power and strength,
not one of them is missing.

Original Intent

1) What is the purpose of Isaiah’s questions in verses 12-17?
The prophet Isaiah begins this section by asking rhetorical questions intended to make his listeners lean in, think, and slow down their patterns of living enough to consider the Lord. Isaiah compares what is impossible to measure with outlandish metrics of measurement to prove His point that there is none like Yahweh, the One True God. Who has measured the earth’s waters, its galaxies, its granules of dust, its mountains and hills? No one. Even by today’s standards of measurements, we still don’t have accurate measurements of the galaxies and grains of sand are mere estimates. What instrument does God use to measure these? The hollow of His hand. (verse 12) Unfathomable, Sister, unfathomable. Just these first questions should be enough to drop every person in the nation of Israel to their knees in worship, but Isaiah continues his prodding questions, moving from the natural world to the spiritual. (verses 13-14) Who gives Yahweh wise counsel, teaches Him justice, and taught Him to create with understanding? “None” is the obvious answer hanging in the air. Every good Jew listening to Isaiah’s beckoning voice would have instinctively known the solitary, non-competing answer reverberating in their souls. There Is None Like Yahweh. (Psalm 86:8-10) Isaiah brings the natural and spiritual together in verses 15-17 as he invites us to consider the natural world through the spiritual eyes of the Almighty. The nations are a drop in His bucket and viewed as a single speck of dust from His vantage point; the entirety of the universe is as absolutely nothing to Him, not in value, but in comparative mass. Where is Isaiah leading Israel? Into deep, authentic worship with their hearts and lives.

2) What does the author want us to understand from the turning point in verses 18-20?
Often in Old Testament poetic works or prophecies, we see a shift in thought where the words that come first are attached like a hinge to the words that follow. That hinge-point is critically important to identify because it helps us understand the true heart issue or the true solution to the outlined problem. Isaiah began this section with prodding self-reflective questions, and will finish with more reasons for worship, but here in the middle, Isaiah turns Israel’s eyes pointedly to the folly of their sin. They love their idols made by their own hands, and the Lord God, through Isaiah, wants Israel to see how utterly foolish it is to worship any but Yahweh. With bold clarity, Isaiah pointedly speaks aloud the question they should all be wrestling with internally by now, “With whom will you compare God?”. (verse 18) None. There is none like You, God. But, Isaiah quickly turns the tide and in essence says, “But your life points to a different answer. You craft idols. You bow down to blocks of wood. Your life reflects tragically misplaced worship.” The answer cuts like a knife, just as it’s intended.

3) What is being compared in verses 22-26 and what implications are to be understood from it?
When studying Scripture, it’s always important to study in context of the circumstances surrounding a passage. Isaiah 40 is full of comfort, encouragement and strong assurance of God and His unchanging character. Yet, without considering the surrounding context, we would miss the significant weightiness of this incredibly beautiful chapter. The preceding chapters describe Israel’s King Hezekiah and the prophecy he was given through Isaiah of coming disater for the nation. Jerusalem would be destroyed, and her people killed by the blood-thirsty Assyrians precisely because of their perpetually misplaced worship. It was no small thing to abhor the first and second commandments of the Law. (Exodus 20:3-4) After news of the coming destruction and exile, the Lord speaks tenderly to His beloved people, ““Comfort, comfort My people,” says your God.” (Isaiah 40:1) This chapter doesn’t merely proclaim sweet comfort, love, and strong exhortations for the worthiness of worshipping the Only True God, its comfort and tender loving descriptions of God are set against the backdrop of suffering and devastating loss, making it epically more lovely. Israel would face horrific loss, but the All-powerful God of Creation was present to comfort and was willing to restore them. In the face of devastation Isaiah’s voice calls aloud, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? (…) God is enthroned…”. (verses 21-22) Despite the circumstances and the affliction you feel, the God who never changes continues to remain fully present with comfort and compassion. The same God who holds the earth’s waters in His hand, who stretches the galaxies out like a scant tent flap, who calls every star by its own personal name, knows you. Oh Israel, there is none like God! Come, worship and bow down to the Eternal One!

Everyday Application

1) What is the purpose of Isaiah’s questions in verses 12-17?
Imagine hearing Isaiah’s clear prophetic voice ringing out as you work in your kitchen or till up your garden. It’s clear, it’s piercing. Maybe you know the political vote is against him and you try to ignore his voice. Or maybe the stirrings in your heart can’t be ignored and you drop your work, gathering your small children by the hand, and move towards the voice. Your culture is abuzz with busyness; the religion that once so clearly defined your people has become messy and confusing. The cultural norms around you from other peoples are curious and intriguing; questions plague you. But Isaiah’s voice is cutting through the confusion with its pleading questions. The more you listen, the clearer it becomes and the more the fog around your heart lifts. The busyness and confusion fall by the wayside as your heart is reminded there is Only One who is worthy of your everyday worship. Even saying the words aloud, “There is None Like You O Lord” seem to be an oasis in the midst of a desert. Take some time and let Isaiah’s piercing questions draw out the brokenness and confusion in you. Bring these to the Lord God. Consider His vastness, see your smallness in comparison, then take a breathtaking look at His vast love to come near to you. Worship, Sister, worship the Only One Worthy of your life’s praise.

2) What does the author want us to understand from the turning point in verses 18-20?
Isaiah’s words are meant to prod Israel into self-reflection to consider whether or not their beliefs align with the everyday actions of their lives. Sometimes we can’t seem to face reality, and the sinful dissonance between the claimed worship of our lips and the rolling tide of our everyday life choices with slowing down. Israel worshipped wooden idols that would rot and literally fall over (verse 20), and the Lord longed for them to see the inconsistencies of their misplaced worship so they might repent and return to Him with the full offering of their lives. Isaiah’s words were carefully chosen to point out that Israel was trusting and loving idols that could neither support their faith nor love them back. But Yahweh could do both. Oh Lord, reveal my idols to me just as You lovingly did for Israel that they would return Home to Your heart. It’s painful to stare my foolish love for lesser things in the face, but show me, Lord. I don’t want my heart to pursue that which falls over and rots away. Sure, financial security, strong relationships, success, a perfect home, and the like are all common idols, but when I clear the stage of these, I find the idol I worship most is myself. I love my ways, my rights, my words, my control, and I choose these again and again over You, Lord. Forgive me, Abba, forgive me this idolatry of heart! Only You can sustain. Only You can nourish me. Only You can hear and listen and love. Only You are worthy of my worship.

3) What is being compared in verses 22-26 and what implications are to be understood from it?
Isaiah’s prophecy to King Hezekiah came years before Israel would actually suffer from Assyrian invasion. God’s words of comfort were meant to sustain Israel, be learned and meditated on by them, so they might remember the love of their God when the battle came into their streets. When we intentionally meditate on the truths of Scripture, when we set aside time each day to read it and pray it and dwell with God’s Words, His comfort sustains us. When we face our own struggles, and devastation overwhelms our lives, we can remember the truths we have learned and lean upon them. The same God who hung the stars in place, knows our name, sees our pain, and is present to comfort and restore. Let’s choose to worship Him now, today! Whether our everyday lives reflect heartache or happiness, there remains One God worthy of our worship, and we can choose to adore Him for the God He is and always will be!

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

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Our Current Study Theme!

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Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

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Worship IX Day 4 Trust & Obedience: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Trust & Obedience!

The Questions

1) How could God let exile happen? (verses 1-2)

2) Why is it significant that Daniel records Nebuchadnezzar putting God’s vessels “in the treasury of his god”? (verse 2)

3) How can we fight against an idolatrous culture? (verses 3-8)

Daniel 1:1-8

In the third year of the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and laid siege to it. 2 The Lord handed King Jehoiakim of Judah over to him, along with some of the vessels from the house of God. Nebuchadnezzar carried them to the land of Babylon, to the house of his god, and put the vessels in the treasury of his god.

3 The king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the Israelites from the royal family and from the nobility—4 young men without any physical defect, good-looking, suitable for instruction in all wisdom, knowledgeable, perceptive, and capable of serving in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the Chaldean language and literature. 5 The king assigned them daily provisions from the royal food and from the wine that he drank. They were to be trained for three years, and at the end of that time they were to attend the king. 6 Among them, from the Judahites, were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 The chief eunuch gave them names; he gave the name Belteshazzar to Daniel, Shadrach to Hananiah, Meshach to Mishael, and Abednego to Azariah.

8 Daniel determined that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or with the wine he drank. So he asked permission from the chief eunuch not to defile himself.

Original Intent

1) How could God let exile happen? (verses 1-2)
Finally, after years of prophecy, and countless opportunities to repent, the Lord God brings about His righteous, just, loving, discipline upon His beloved, chosen people, Israel. It was the “third year of the reign of King Jehoiakim” (verse 1) when God divinely appointed King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to lay siege to Jerusalem and so capture Judah, bringing into captivity. The prophet Jeremiah had spent years (Jeremiah 1:1-3) spreading the very unpopular message from God that He would allow His people to be captured and exiled by a foreign, godless ruler. The Lord said of His people, “You live in a world of deception. In their deception they refuse to know Me. This is the Lord’s declaration.” (Jeremiah 9:6, emphasis mine) No doubt about it, according to Daniel’s preserved and inspired words of God, it was indeed the Lord who handed over the Southern Kingdom of Israel, known as Judah, to be carried off into exile. “The Lord handed King Jehoiakim over…”. (verse 2) It wasn’t Nebuchadnezzar’s ideas and purposes, it was the Lord God’s intentional design to fulfill His purposes. Rebellion from God and His holy ways brings consequence from the Lord because He simply loves us too much to leave us where we are in our state of rebellion. The Lord states through Jeremiah, “Should I not punish them for these things? This is the Lord’s declaration. Should I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?” (Jeremiah 9:9) The obvious answer to this rhetorical question is yes! How could a just God continue to allow injustices against Him? How could a loving God continue to permit such deep rebellion against those who are called by His name to be a people for His divine purposes? Praise God for His discipline and conviction! How dangerous to harden our hearts and continue pressing against Him!

2) Why is it significant that Daniel records Nebuchadnezzar putting God’s vessels “in the treasury of his god”? (verse 2)
God’s chosen people were carried off to exile for 70 years in a foreign land and everything about their culture was left in ruins. The epicenter of their life as God’s people, the temple, was utterly demolished. Even the holy articles, which had been dedicated specifically for God’s purposes in worship, were stolen away for defilement in the house of Nebuchadnezzar’s false god. The prophet Samuel records of this looting, “He (King Nebuchadnezzar) also carried off from there all the treasures of the Lord’s temple and the treasures of the king’s palace, and he cut into pieces all the gold articles that King Solomon of Israel had made for the Lord’s sanctuary, just as the Lord had predicted.” (2 Kings 24:13) The sobering reality was that Israel’s rebellious rejection of the One True God, opened the door for the enemy, Satan, to use Israel for idolatrous purposes. What a picture it gave the Jewish people to know that their “holy articles” were being used for idol worship. What a fitting mirror the Lord provided. His people, His holy people, had rebelled against Him by worshipping idols and given themselves over to enemy purposes.

3) How can we fight against an idolatrous culture? (verses 3-8)
The Babylonians were quick to assimilate the exiles into their idolatrous culture. The Jews were given Babylonians names and were forced into new traditions, language, religious rituals, and food offered to idols. Much of the newness ran in direct opposition to how God had called Israel to live because He had crafted them as a nation “set apart” for Him to reflect His holiness. (Exodus 19:5-6) Even their names were meant to honor false idols. The new culture should have repulsed the Judahites at every turn because it was now unavoidable to realize how they had been living in blatant defilement of the Holy God. Of all the young men taken as captives and selected to serve the king, only Daniel felt convicted and emboldened to stand against what he knew was a dishonor to Yahweh. BUT, just as sin has rippling effects, so do actions taken solidly against the enemy. What started with one brave request from Daniel to not eat food offered to idols, also encouraged his three friends to also stand against the cultural flood washing over them. Daniel and his friends stood firm and the Lord blessed them with strength, vitality, wisdom, and favor with the king. (Daniel 1:17-20)

Everyday Application

1) How could God let exile happen? (verses 1-2)
The Lord’s words through Jeremiah, which would become reality for Daniel and his peers, should make us all shake in awareness of our own sinful rebellion against God. Jeremiah’s words were written to Judah, not us. There is no pending capture from another powerful nation coming for us divinely prophesied in Jeremiah and Daniel. However, the warning about sin and its consequence is still meant for our hearts in this moment. Our sin, every single one, is a blatant offense to a righteous and blameless God. Every selfish thought, lustful look, “white lie”, and angry action (yes, even those hand motions) make us “unholy”, therefore unfit to be in God’s presence. Which means we cannot “go to Heaven when we die”. We don’t “get God’s favor” because we did something nice. In fact, no amount of “good things” we do will compensate for even a single sin. (Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:23) Wow, that’s bad news! Just as God warned Judah that His justice would come, so can we be assured His justice will come for us when we die. (Matthew 12:36, Romans 6:23) God cannot become unjust and ignore our sin. (2 Corinthians 5:10) BUT. Neither can He be unloving. (1 John 4:16) His extravagant love paid the price for our rebellion, which is a curse by God and eternal death. Jesus, God Himself, paid this price when He died on the cross. (Galatians 3:3) Precisely because Jesus IS God, He was raised to life by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:11) and conquered death for us that we might have His righteousness in exchange for our filth of sin. (2 Corinthians 5:21) Astounding!! THIS is good news! Acknowledging our rebellion against God, asking forgiveness, then proving we have been made new by being baptized and following Jesus for the rest of our lives is God’s invitation for us. Will we harden our hearts, like Judah did, and be carried off by our rebellion, or will we repent and come home to be with Him? (John 14:23)

2) Why is it significant that Daniel records Nebuchadnezzar putting God’s vessels “in the treasury of his god”? (verse 2)
The rippling effects of rebellion often include innocent bystanders. The enemy of our souls, Satan, is always strategizing to steal, kill, and destroy all good things. (John 10:10) When sin, or the effects of sin in our fallen world, destroy things, people, or relationships it can feel like God is nowhere to be found. We feel as if God has either lost control, doesn’t care, or never really had control in the first place. Each of these fears and emotional thoughts must be sifted through the unchanging truth of Scripture. If God can ordain a worm to consume a plant and not even a sparrow dies without Him knowing, and allowing, that death, then God has never once been absent. (Jonah 4:7, Matthew 10:29) There are no small coincidences, and no major incidences, beyond the intimate involvement of a sovereign, infinitely loving God. All things are held together through Him. (Colossians 1:17) The psalmist sings the truth, “You are good, and You do what is good…” (Psalm 119:68, emphasis mine) The New Testament preacher, Paul, famously penned, “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) If God only does good things. If all things are under His complete control. Then, despite sin’s damaging effects on our world and our lives, anything evil can be redeemed for good things in us to bring God glory. Spend time praying over the broken and absent things in your life, asking God to teach you to trust Him, to wait on His timing, and keep obeying while you worship.

3) How can we fight against an idolatrous culture? (verses 3-8)
The enemy will use any means possible to accomplish his purposes of death to all things good and holy and set apart for God. (1 Peter 5:8) Just think of a few things that are honoring to God and designed for good, then think of the many ways those things are attacked and marred by sin. Marriages given over to strife, abuse, abandonment, and divorce. Friendships sabotaged by selfishness, haughty spirits, and gossip. Even something as simple as food can become a weapon of gluttony in the enemy’s hand. Make a short list of the God-honoring things in your life. How are they most often threatened by sin’s destructive defilement? The sweet assurance of Christ and His victory reminds us that we are not helpless bystanders in the ravages of the enemy. Paul reminded Timothy, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgement.” (2 Timothy 1:7) The apostle Peter encouraged believers who were fighting against enemy threats and defilement of holiness by saying, “Resist him (the devil), firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.” (1 Peter 5:8) When we remember that we are not alone in this fight against the enemy, we are encouraged to stand firm and take up the battle gear God has supplied. (Ephesians 6:11-18) Before going to bed tonight, read through the armor of God in Ephesians 6, and prayerfully take your bold stand against the enemy! God used Daniel’s determination to not be defiled for eternally good purposes, even within a secular and unbelieving nation. What might the Lord do with your determined heart to refuse to bow to cultural popularity and instead stand firm on truth?

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

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Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

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Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

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