Standing on the Promises

In reading tonight, I came across this verse in Hosea. It is referring to the wicked when it says: "They make many promises, take false oaths, and make agreements..." (Hosea 10:4) I was thinking about how many times people of the world have let us down. How many times have you been stood up? Or how often has someone made a promise to you that they didn't bother to keep? Not so with God! "The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made." Psalm 145:13 He is faithful even when we are faithless!

Poetry

In reading tonight I found this poem. The third verse that talks about keeping the soul spotless and bright reminded me of how Bob Jennings always talks about how Christians should "walk the world in white." Unbelievers are always watching, and I'm sure they notice our flaws more than we realize. One of my main flaws is a critical spirit that surely doesn't go unnoticed. May God give us strength to overcome these daily struggles. Very encouraging and convicting poem at the same time.

Tread in solitude your pathway,
Quiet heart and undismayed.
You will know things strange, mysterious,
Which to you no voice has said.

While the crowd of petty hustlers
Grasps at vain and meager things,
You will see a great world rising
Where soft sacred music rings.

Leave the dusty road to others,
Spotless keep your soul and bright,
As the radiant ocean's surface
When the sun is taking flight.

~V. Schoffel

Testimony Among Lions

Today I was reading about Daniel in the lion's den. It's a story I've heard often, but for some reason I was really impressed by it this time. After the decree is issued that no one should pray except to the king, it is discovered that Daniel is still praying to his God. That in itself took a lot of faith, knowing what could happen if he were to just continue praying. When the king gave the order to place Daniel in the lion's den he said: "May your God, who you serve continually, rescue you." (chapter 6, verse 16) The den was then sealed and Daniel was left there overnight. The next morning the king returned to find Daniel unharmed because he had been protected by an angel of the Lord. This prompted King Darius to issue another decree, this time stating that all the people of his kingdom should fear and reverence God.

"For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions." (King Darius, verse 26-27)

Because of Daniel's faith in the Lord, and the power displayed by God, a king's heart was turned. I think that it goes to show the people of the world are watching to see how the Christian will respond in situations of difficulty. Daniel's response was one of total faith and it says in verse 4 no corruption could be found in him. Through Daniel's life of testimony and by "serving God continually"a king and a whole nation came to fear God.