Thursday, November 26

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015

Daniel 2:24–3:30

1 Peter 4:7–5:14

Psalm 119:81–96

Proverbs 28:15,16

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving!  For what or whom may you give thanks today?  How could you spread this attitude through the other days of this year?

 

Today, we read two passages about suffering for righteousness, and it may seem strange that the Scriptures encourage us to “rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” (1 Peter 4:13)  In Daniel 3, we find a fiery furnace for Daniel’s three friends, who had committed the crime of failing to idolize Nebuchadnezzar.

 

Why might we rejoice even in these sorrows?  The Bible explains that, in some way, our worldly struggles help us to identify with and even unite with our living Savior.  In the Book of Hebrews, we found this encouragement to press onward:  “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.  And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

 

We know that the Lord Jesus Christ faced the same opposition and challenges – and much more powerfully – than we have.  He remained committed to serving God’s Kingdom purposes, even to the point of an undeserved death on the Cross to the pay the penalty that we rightly deserved.

 

The “secret” of living in such undivided devotion to our Lord God lies in counting everything as loss.  This decision of the will does not mean that we devalue this earthly life; rather, we must see it in right perspective vis-à-vis the eternal.  In other words, why sacrifice the eternal good for a temporal gain – that really isn’t that great after all?  In this light, Kingdom matters rise in importance, high above earthly matters.  The change in perspective, revealed through God’s Word and by His Holy Spirit, brings the truly important into focus.

 

Daniel’s three friends recognized that they could not allow their earthly commitments to Nebuchadnezzar and their service in Babylon to overtake their eternal commitments to serving God.  They reasoned that God would remain faithful to them, even if they persisted in their “disobedience” to Nebuchadnezzar.  While they most likely didn’t anticipate rescue from the fire – and God’s clear intervention therein – they trusted in God’s provision.  Their faith relates closely to Abraham’s, where he submitted even to the death of the son of God’s promise.

 

According to 1 Peter 4, there appear to be rewards for those who persevere through trials, both in this earthly life and the eternal.  He mentions that those who “are insulted because of the name of Christ” receive the blessings of the “Spirit of glory… rest[ing] on you.” (1 Peter 4:14)  The revelation of God’s glory in the Second Coming of Christ will bring great joy to those who have suffered, to those who have committed to following God.  Therefore, Peter concludes that “those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” (1 Peter 4:19)

 

In this last verse, we understand the truth behind counting everything as loss.  We must see and trust in God’s faithfulness to His promise.  Since He will not abandon us, we cling to Him in the midst of adversity, knowing that He planned it for us.  Our good Father will carry us through challenging moments and transform us more into the likeness of His Son through them.  And, like Daniel’s three friends, we may be able to stand together in this trust, spurring one another on towards love and good deeds.

 

Thank you for loving and serving the living God.  May you be encouraged today to continue running the race with perseverance, as you experience God’s loving presence and trust in His promises.  You might find it edifying to read Romans 5:1–5; Hebrews 12:4–13; and James 1:2–5.

 

 

Lord God, thank You for Your goodness to us.  We remember with thanksgiving all the great people that You have placed into our lives who have helped us to know You better.  Thank You for the freedom to serve and honor You.  Thank You for Your rich blessings by providing food, shelter, and clothing.  Thank You for an awesome church family who loves You and one another.  Thank You for our cities and towns, that they are places of opportunity for us.  Thank You for Your Word, that instructs, guides, and corrects us.  Thank You for Your loving presence in our lives.  We desperately need You and want to know You more.  Help us to bless others by demonstrating Your love.  In Jesus’s Name, amen.

 

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