November 28, 2014

Pay Attention To History

 

"But you his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this."

-- Daniel 5:22

History, as the old saying goes, has a way of repeating itself. The way we make changes is to learn from the past and take a different path. That's true of our own actions. It's true of others as well.

Belshazzar knew the history of his land. He was required to. Yet, he ignored that history. I guess he got caught up in his own power, surrounded by his "yes" people, and he refused to acknowledge God's power and control over the kingdom.

Belshazzar really insulted God. He used the gold and silver goblets taken from God's temple in Jerusalem and used them at a banquet. Bad mistake. Truly. He hadn't learned anything from his ancestors. Otherwise he would have known what not to do. God made sure Belshazzar paid for the insult with his life.

Don't we do the same thing? We make the same mistakes again and again. We refuse to acknowledge the past yet we expect different results. It's especially difficult when the same people disappoint us again and again. Yet, why are we surprised? History shows the same pattern and they are just being who they are.

Jesus tells us to forgive repeatedly. But forgiveness doesn't mean allowing people to continue to control our lives with their hurtful actions. Sometimes forgiveness means moving on and forging a new path. Forgiveness means trusting God to handle things. We can't change people any more than the prophet Daniel could change Belshazzar. Letting go and giving the situation over to God provides the greatest freedom, allowing us to move past the situation, knowing that God always takes care of His own.

October 28, 2014

What Do We Miss?

That very night Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians, was slain,  and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, at the age of sixty-two. -- Daniel 5:30-21

Who was Darius the Mede? Seriously. Who was he? I've read the book of Daniel many times. I've taken the Bible study. This is the chapter about the writing on the wall. And it goes right in to the chapter about Daniel and the Lions Den.

So who is he? The truth is nobody knows for sure. He's only mentioned in Daniel.

Oh, there are theories. Darius is likely a title. Cyrus the Great didn't show up for another two weeks. Gubaru is the likely candidate. He captured Babylon. Think of Cyrus the Great as his boss. But, as I said, we don't really know.

This isn't a history lesson. My class got that on Sunday. It's more about what we miss when we read something familiar. I believe that God does point out certain things when we need them. I've had that happen many times. But I also believe we miss so much because we don't really comprehend what we're reading.

Let me explain. Years ago a wonderful editor asked me to proofread his column. I was surprised. The man was a talented writer. But he said something I still remember: Everybody needs an editor because as the writer we read things as they should be rather than as they are.

So we see -- or read -- what we expect and sometimes miss the unexpected. It's there all the time. We just get caught up in what we believe is supposed to be and miss what is.

The next time you read a Bible passage that is familiar, be sure to really focus on the words. Don't miss the obvious. It might be something that will speak to your heart.


 

Thursday, October 4, 2012

God Strengthens And Sustains Us

“Do not be afraid, O man highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.”

When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.”

-- Daniel 10:19

Some journeys in life are just hard. They are wrought with illness and fear and hospitals and uncertainty. What sustains us, who sustains us, is God and those who represent Him on this earth.

A dear woman lies in a hospital bed fighting for her life. She has suffered so much pain over the past months and it has all culminated in this moment of time. She can’t speak for the ventilator. We’re not sure how much she understands about what is going on.

Still, we visit and remind her of our love and concern. We urge her toward peace and rest, assuring her that God is with her and will strengthen her in this battle. We tell her again and again of the prayers so many have said for her and of the love God has for her.

We pray over her and with her family. We pray together and alone. Because God hears us. We don’t know if her healing will take place on this earth or in heaven, but we know our God will one day grant her relief from the pain.

Another man stood stoically before his wife’s casket. She’d fought long and hard but breast cancer won the day. She won the battle, of course. She’s with Jesus right now. But her husband, her sons, the family and friends who cherished her so, are stunned that she has gone ahead and left this empty hole in their hearts.

So we gather around them. We give hugs and share memories. We provide strength in our presence and nourishment with our prayers. We are reminded again that the body of Christ lives within all believers and that we are part of the same family.

We don’t know what the future holds. We have no idea when illness can suddenly strike. When an accident can send our once good health into a tailspin. When our orderly world careens down an unwelcome path. But we do know who holds our hand on the journey. We feel His Presence. We see His goodness even in the darkest of nights.

Fear can grip the strongest among us. Yet our faith reminds us that we have no need to be afraid. He is with us, strengthening us, sustaining us, loving us, along every step we take.