November 25
Daniel 1-2
Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself… (1:8). It would have been all but impossible for a person held captive by a devil-worshiping king to remain undefiled. Moreover, Daniel lived in a time when Israel defiled itself, which led to their captivity in the first place. How he even thought of remaining clean given the cesspool of temptations he lived in is a marvel. He knew that God would honor his obedience while punishing his nation’s disobedience.
Daniel proves that though one lives in a culture that rejects God, they can thrive. That is, I believe, exactly what God asks us to do–trust Him completely while living among people who don’t trust Him much at all. Even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed… (1 Peter 3:14).
1 Peter 3-4
All of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing (3:8-9). Putting others first is a New Testament theme. But let’s face it, we’re not good at doing what God says. We need a bunch of reminders like Constitutional checks and balances against selfish behavior.
Jesus told us to serve one another, treat others as we wish to be treated, and to love others as he loved us, which is sacrificially. We try, we fail, often badly (sometimes we don’t try too hard). I’ve consistently heard people say they left a church because they were not being fed. I wondered if they left the restaurant because the server didn’t cut up their meat and fork it in for them. If you read the Bible and come away thinking your church needs to serve you, just put it down, and go back to the children’s table.
Here’s the thing: if you follow God’s word and seek the Holy Spirit, He will give you courage and you will do two things. First, you will serve others and care for their needs with less regard for your own. Second, you’ll outgrow mean-spirited, selfish people who take more than they give. If we tolerate bullies, we embolden them, and they replicate. If we honor God by standing up to bullies, we’ll get stronger believers. The love Peter expresses is active, brotherly love of the kind that protects the helpless.
Psalm 119:65-80
Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I keep Your word. If we honor God with gratitude, we’re less likely to stray. Keep in mind that walking with the Holy Spirit is the only way to remain consistently obedient to God, and that is not done by willpower. It’s done by asking for the Holy Spirit, trusting the Bible, listening to wisdom, submitting to Jesus, and abandoning lust for something better. Of course, if one prefers, they may stubbornly test the Lord and let the chips fall where they may.
Proverbs 28:14
Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble. This ties in rather seamlessly with the above readings, does it not?
