Obedience

Observations from the Book of Daniel
Lessons for our daily walk with God
(part 3)
mdb



OBEY: To comply with the commands, orders or instructions of a superior;
to do that which is commanded or required, or to forbear doing that which is prohibited.

To constitute obedience, the act or forbearance to act must be in submission to authority;
the command must be known to the person, and his compliance must be in consequence of it,
or it is not obedience.

Voluntary obedience alone can be acceptable to God.

Noah Webster 1828


OBEDIENCE

"If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you." (Ex 15:26)

Oh how often we have heard preached the last words of this verse ~ "I am the LORD who heals you." Yet how often have we heard taught the conditions on this promise of Adonai Roph'ekha ? Is not our God the same "yesterday, today and forever"? Can we really expect God to pour out health and blessings to those who do not "diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes" ?

I pray that all in need would experience the healing touch of God upon their lives. But most of us know dear friends and family that are ill and suffer. As a whole our nation, the world and the Church of God is sick and in bondage. As called out people of God (as were the Israelites to whom the passage above was first directed) we must realize that there are indeed conditions on that promise. We must be first hearing Him, and then walking in obedience to what He commands.

For those who would say that we have been set free from the Law by the Blood Atonement of Jesus and no longer need to "give ear to His commandments and keep all His statues", I say 'indeed we have been set free from the Law of sin and death as Romans 8:2 declares... But let us look at the 'how and why' of that verse in context. "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death." (Rom 8:1-2 NKJV)

Again a condition... "those who are in Christ Jesus" There is a big difference between "confessing Christ" and "abiding in" Christ Jesus, but that is another study for another time.

Notice in Romans 8 that only when we are lead by Law are we set free from the Law. Sounds strange doesn't it? Dear saints, let us know... we will always be governed by Law. We must always be obedient to the commandments of Jesus, just as He is always obedient to the commandments of God His Father. (see John 15:10). As professing Christians, we are either governed by and walking according to the Law of the Spirit of Life, or we are under the Law of sin and death (The Law of Moses) and walking according to the flesh (our sinful nature).
While it is True that we are no longer under the covenantal Law of Moses (the law of sin and death), as partakers of the New Covenant we are to be now and always subject and obedient to the Eternal Law of God (the Law of the Spirit of Life) and the commandments of Christ. Does not the New Covenant state - "I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts"? God is not speaking here of the Law of Moses, but of His unchanging, neverending Eternal Law. (again a topic for future study)

Does a "profession of faith" nullify the need to keep God's Law? No, rather the keeping of God's commands is the only thing that proves our faith. In the New Testament we are exhorted to have the "faith of Abraham." who Paul writes is the "father of all those who believe." (Rom 4:11), and that as "those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham." (Gal 3:9) we might enter into the blessing of the promise made to him. Therefore with Abraham as our example; we ought to seek to know and obey the commandments and law of God, just as Abraham (who preceded the Mosaic Law) was obedient to God's voice and kept His charge, His commandments, His statutes and His laws. Abraham's faith was proven in his acts of obedience (Gen 26:5, Heb 11:8,17, James 2:20-24)

And another quick thought on Ex 15:26... if we truly did no longer have to "give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes" because we are now under grace - which would make that verse not apply to Christians - then how can we claim the promise of the last part of the verse for ourselves? Rather I submit that, and as we will read shortly in Daniel, as people of either covenant we are to be obedient to the Lord God in all that He commands us. Only then can we walk fully confident of His promised blessings.

Proverbs 3 states -
"My son, do not forget my law,
But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4 And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones."
(Prov 3:1-8)


Let us look at the connection between obedience & faithfulness and health & blessing as we continue in the Book of Daniel...
　
DANIEL CHAPTER 1 continued...

"But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself." - vs 8

Daniel and his companions had been raised according to the commandments God had given Moses with which to instruct Israel after the Exodus. These young men, now in captivity in Babyon, knew the Law of Moses and the commandments of God. To these Hebrew boys, eating of the portion of King Nebuchadnezzar's food would have been to defile themselves. They knew God's instructions given to their forefathers when they were delivered from Egypt -

"Take heed to yourself, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, lest it be a snare in your midst. But you shall destroy their altars, break their sacred pillars, and cut down their wooden images (for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God), lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they play the harlot with their gods and make sacrifice to their gods, and one of them invites you and you eat of his sacrifice, and you take of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters play the harlot with their gods and make your sons play the harlot with their gods."
- Ex 34:12-16

These instructions echo throughout the Holy Scripture, even to the Revelation. Prophesying to the people of God, these words are for Christians of all ages, warnings to those called out of the world to be conformed into the image of God's Son -

To the angel of the church in Pergamos write... "But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality." - Rev 2:14

We see that not only in the Old Testament did God warn against eating food sacrificed to idols, but in the second chapter of Revelation we read of the Lord's displeasure with those in the churches who eat things sacrificed to idols. Again -

To the angel of the church in Thyatira write... "Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols." - Rev 2:20

Now here today in the 21st century, it is not necessarily stone or wooden idols that people sacrifice to, but rather giving ourselves over to, and partaking of things that honor false gods. Just here in America we have gods of money, entertainment, lust, violence, partying and greed. These are idols. People worship these things. I used to worship these things, by desiring what they appear to offer and spending my time, energy and money on them. God has not changed. He is the same today as He was in the Old Testament and throughout the New. God didn't want His people partaking of these things then, and He doesn't want His people partaking of them now.

An Eternal Kingdom principle states - "Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?" (Rom 6:16)

I used to be a slave to the lusts of my flesh and the end thereof would only have been death. Now I strive to be a slave of obedience to God, with the outcome of righteousness.

There is a "ruler of this world" (satan) and he puts many things, or shall we say - temptations - before us. We must consider them. They may look good, but it is a deception. We are to be as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, and "Just say NO." When we make that decision to not partake of things which honor false gods, the One True God gives us strength to stand firm and be bold in our convictions.

The question to each of us is - What are we partaking of? The delicacies of the world in an attempt to satisfy the appetites of our fleshly nature, or the Bread of Life?
　
"When you sit down to eat with a ruler,
Consider carefully what is before you;
2 And put a knife to your throat
If you are a man given to appetite.
3 Do not desire his delicacies,
For they are deceptive food."
- Prov 23:1-3

"Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." - John 6:35

Amen.

Moving on...


"Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs." - vs 9

Daniels' obedience to God bore fruit, and gave him favor even among his enemies.

"He also made them objects of compassion
In the presence of all their captors."
- Psa 106:46

The Word of God promises -
"When a man’s ways please the LORD,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him."
- Prov 16:7

Our job is to be a light wherever we are. In whatever circumstances we find ourselves, may our behavior and speech be pleasing to the Lord. Currently most of us are not held captive in a foreign land. But we may find ourselves mocked for our beliefs, or at odds with neighbors, employers or even family members. Do our ways and our attitudes toward them please God? Peace will never come by holding a grudge, showing animosity or seeking vengeance.
　
10 And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, "I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king." 11 So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 "Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants."
14 So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days.15 And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. 16 Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables." - vs 10-16

Here we see the fulfillment of the promise of God in Proverbs 3 and Ex 15:26. Obedience and faithfulness to God brought health and blessing to these young men.

The NIV renders verse 15 - "At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food."

And because of their choices God rewarded them. Remaining obedient to God in not compromising their beliefs brought great blessings to Daniel and Hananiah, Mishael & Azariah (or Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego).

"As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams." - vs 17

They entered into God's blessings, and allowed Him to reward them by their obedience and faithfulness to Him. Had they given in and eaten of the kings food because they wanted to 'fit in' or spare themselves from persecution and ridicule, do we think God would have still blessed them and granted them these spiritual gifts? Do we think God would still have delivered them from the great trials they would soon face?

Can we here today really expect God to deliver us if we allow ourselves to continually fall to temptation, or if we ignore His Word or procrastinate in doing what we know He requires of us?

James writes - "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of Life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."
"Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." - James 1:12,16-17

Indeed, we look forward to a Day in which those who have endured to the end in our walk with Christ, who have overcome, not loving their lives even unto death, will receive the crown of Life. But we can enter into His blessings even now, each day, as we humbly follow Him and let no one deceive us or take our crown. We are blessed when we endure temptation and refuse to compromise. I'm sure the food set before Daniel and his friends looked and smelled delicious. But they felt that to partake of it would be disobedient and displeasing to God. So they requested the vegetables and water. And we can see the result of their bold decision.

Friends, there are consequences to all our choices and actions. Blessings on those who choose to obey God, and walk in His ways. Curses on those who choose to stray from the Path He has set before us.

Looking briefly at the promised blessings of God to His chosen people IF they followed Him diligently and obeyed His commands to them...

Blessings on Obedience (NKJV)

1 "Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. 2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God:
3 "Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country.
4 "Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks.
5 "Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.
6 "Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.
7 "The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.
8 "The LORD will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
9 "The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in His ways. 10 Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they shall be afraid of you. 11 And the LORD will grant you plenty of goods, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your ground, in the land of which the LORD swore to your fathers to give you. 12 The LORD will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. 13 And the LORD will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them. 14 So you shall not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right or the left, to go after other gods to serve them."
- Deut 28:1-14
　
Great and wonderful promises IF we obey Him. (Deut 28:15-68 describes the curses on the disobedient.) A popular teaching of God's unconditional love has fogged our minds so that we cannot see that there absolutely are conditions on all of the promises of God. Search the Scriptures and you will be amazed at how many times we see the "if... then..." scenario. In Deuteronomy 28 above we read of many great promises of God to His people (promises that are for us as well) if they would have (and if we would) but diligently obey His voice and His commands. Not only would the blessings of God come to them (and to us), but would "overtake" or be upon them in abundance if they would have heeded this Word. This is the Kingdom principle of sowing and reaping. We read throughout the Old Testament of what happened to Israel based on the choices they made, and we can see in the world around us today the consequences of the choices we've made as a whole. The fullness of these blessings are not seen in the world or our nation and sadly not even in the Church, because we have not fully obeyed the Lord. We have not completely followed the Lord with our whole heart, and loved God with all our heart, soul mind and strength.

Again, contrary to some modern teaching, God didn't give the commandments of the Law of Moses to the Jews to show them that they couldn't keep them and needed a Savior. "Let God be true but every man a liar." No, He gave them commands because He expected them to keep them. Jesus gives us commands for the same reason - He expects us to hear and obey them.

When Jesus commissioned and sent His Apostles into the world He charged them -
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."
- Matt 28:19-20a

If we are to follow Him, we must first believe in Him and then obey Him. Belief and faith do not replace obedience and righteousness. Grace does not negate His commands to us.
　
"If you love Me, keep My commands.
Whoever has My commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I too will love them and show Myself to them."
Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do You intend to show Yourself to us and not to the world?"
Jesus replied, "Anyone who loves Me will obey My teaching. My Father will love them, and We will come to them and make Our home with them. Anyone who does not love Me will not obey My teaching. These words you hear are not My own; they belong to the Father who sent Me."
- John 14:15,21-24

Do we long to see Jesus? Do we want to see Him, even now, at work in our lives and on the earth? Is our desire to abide with the Father and the Son? Then we must seek to know His commands, and strive to obey them.

Returning to Daniel, let us observe the result of their obedience to God's command, and their boldness in standing up for what they knew was right...

"Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king. 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm." - vs 18-20

Again, we see the Kingdom principle played out, in what Daniel and his companions reaped. They had sown righteousness in that they obeyed the commands of God. And they reaped His reward. Greatly did He grant them gifts of wisdom and understanding "in all matters". What a wonderful example for us to follow.

"The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness;
According to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me.
For I have kept the ways of the LORD,
And have not wickedly departed from my God.
For all His judgments were before me,
And I did not put away His statutes from me."
(Psalm 18:20-22)
　
I truly believe we find in Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah the faithfulness and obedience, the boldness and righteousness that God is looking for in His people even today. My prayer is that He will find us like that.

"He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;
He guards the paths of justice,
And preserves the way of His saints".
- Prov 2:7-8


Just one more (for now) -

"Blessed are the undefiled in the way,
Who walk in the law of the LORD!
Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,
Who seek Him with the whole heart!
They also do no iniquity;
They walk in His ways."
- Psalm 119:1-3

Oh how I love being in the written Word, and following the Living Word!

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."
- Ecc 12:13


to be continued...

next (Lord willing)... Walking in His gifts
　
　
　

Called by Name

Observations from the Book of Daniel
Lessons for our daily walk with God
(part 2)
mdb


CALLED BY NAME

The promise of God -
"The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in His ways. Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they shall be afraid of you." - Deut 28:9-10

"If you keep the commandments of the Lord your God..." The condition required to receive the fullness of the promise. God is faithful to establish each of us as holy to Himself if we are faithful to keep His commandments, fear Him, and walk in His ways. Then shall the world see that we are called by His Name. Today the world looks at "Christian" nations and sees the "adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and the like" that are contrary to the Eternal Law and very nature of God.

The world will not fear or respect those who claim the Name of the Lord when those representing that Name themselves neither fear God or keep His commandments. Cannot we hear His Spirit speaking to us even now, "Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!" - Deut 5:29

As we will soon read, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were men who met the condition. They obeyed the commandments of the Lord our God. And although physically they were slaves to the Babylonians, inwardly (in heart, soul, spirit and also action) they were slaves to God, not allowing themselves to become enslaved to the ways of the Babylonians. And unlike the rulers of Judah, they were ashamed of the fruitless actions of their countrymen, and made the choice to walk in the ways of the Lord by Whose Name they were called. Dear saints, we never have to be enslaved by sin, regardless of our station or circumstances in life. The Apostle Paul, even while imprisoned physically in Rome awaiting trial, declared "my chains are in Christ" (Phil 1:13), and declared that we are to "have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." (Rom 6:18). So, those who have accepted the blood atonement of Jesus the Messiah, been set free from sin, turned from the shameful things of the world, and become slaves of God and righteousness, will He establish as a holy people to Himself.

"What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is Eternal Life in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Rom 6:21-23

Do our lives honor that Name by which we have been called?


DANIEL CHAPTER 1 continued...

So at this point in time Judah has been conquered by Babylon. We know God allowed it because of their unfaithfulness and disobedience to Him. And now we read of Nebuchadnezzar taking the best of the young men of Israel to serve him -

"Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans. And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king.
Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego." - vs 3-7

This pagan king desired the best of God’s people to serve him. He sought to educate them in the "language and literature of the Chaldeans." I believe that in this, satan was trying to turn God’s chosen people back to the false religion that God had called Abraham out of when He purposed to make a nation for Himself. It was in the land of the Chaldeans that Abram was dwelling with his father when God called him. Abraham responded to the call of God and followed Him. The faithfulness and obedience of Abraham to God brought him a new name, and the fulfillment of the Lord’s promise.

"You are the LORD God, Who chose Abram (High father)
And brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans
And gave him the name Abraham. (Father of many nations)
"You found his heart faithful before You,
And made a covenant with him
To give him the land of the Canaanite,
Of the Hittite and the Amorite,
Of the Perizzite, the Jebusite and the Girgashite--
To give it to his descendants
And You have fulfilled Your promise,
For You are righteous."
- Neh 9:7-8

(The faithfulness, obedience and righteousness of Abraham is another wonderful study from the Scripture. Perhaps we will look at that soon. As the Lord leads.)

In Genesis, God gave Abram a new name, a greater name. In the Book of Revelation we find that those who overcome will be given a new name, even Christ’s new name, showing our allegiance to God (Rev 3:12). Here in the Book of Daniel, the heathen world gives new names to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: names which were designed to show an allegiance to the gods of Babylon.

Daniel - meaning in the Hebrew - God is my Judge or Judge of God
- changed to Belteshazza - meaning Bel’s prince (Bel being a god of Babylon)

Hananiah - Yah has favored, or God is gracious
- changed to Shadrach - command of Aku (Babylonian god of the moon)

Mishael - Who is What God is? or Who is like God?
- changed to Meshach - "who is what Aku is?"

Azariah - Yah has helped
- changed to Abed-nego - servant of Nebo (Babylonian god of wisdom)

Names are usually very significant in Scripture, especially the Old Testament. And throughout the first few chapters of the Book of Daniel we will find that there is indeed no one like our God, we will see His judgment, as well as His favor and how He helps those who trust in Him. The given Hebrew names of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah describe genuine attributes of the One True God.

Babylon gave them each different names. In Scripture Babylon often symbolizes the world. In the Hebrew it means ’confusion’ deriving from the Tower of Babel where God "confused the language of all the earth." (Gen 11:9), and we know how much confusion exists in the world today. So although the world renamed these young Hebrew men in an attempt to conform them to the ways of the world, we will read how they held fast to their convictions, refused to compromise, and saw the grace of God work in their lives, and His judgment against those who persecuted them.

The enemy of our souls today seeks to turn our hearts from God and serve him. Those who God has called out, satan often attempts to get to return to the gods of this world. We belong to EL SHADDAI , Almighty God, the One who has redeemed us and called us by name, yet our enemy seeks to change our name and our devotion.

"But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel,
"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine!
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
"For I am the LORD your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior.""
- Isaiah 43:1-3
　
Indeed we will soon see the promises of this passage played out in the lives of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego as we continue this study. I pray that we too will see these promises fulfilled in our lives as we walk with the Holy One of Israel, our Savior, who has called us by name.

The question is... Does God know me? Does He know my name? Does He know yours?

Remember, Jesus speaks these words to many who proclaimed to know Him -
"Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, ’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
- Matt 7:21-23

The Lord God knew Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Later in chapter 1 we read that to "these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom" (Dan 1:17)

Similarly, during the Exodus, when the sanctuary was being built, God specifically called out by name two men, and gifted them with His Spirit and Wisdom to complete the tasks set before them.
Bezalel, whose name means "in the shadow of God" and Aholiab meaning "tent of the Father", showing, I believe, the testimony of men who abode and walked with God even as their feet tread upon this earth.

"See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, 5 in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship.6 "And I, indeed I, have appointed with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have put wisdom in the hearts of all the gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you: 7 the tabernacle of meeting, the ark of the Testimony and the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furniture of the tabernacle." - Ex 31:2-7

Again, the Lord God knew these men. All of Israel was called by the Name of the Lord (Num 6:27), but not all had a relationship with Him. So many rebelled against the One who desired to know them and commune with them. So many missed out on the promises of God because they did not follow the Lord with their whole heart, and as He said "they have walked after other gods and have served them and worshiped them, and have forsaken Me" (Jer 16:11). In the New Testament, Jesus said He longed to gather God’s chosen people to Himself "as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but (they) were not willing!" (Matt 23:37).
Friends, that very same Holy One desires a relationship with us. Are we willing?

May our heavenly Father say to us in that Day - "you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name." (Ex 33:17)

Do we realize the significance of having God know our name? Do we understand what it truly means to be called by the Name of Christ? Do we know that to enter into the fullness of God’s Promise we must "walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory" (1Thess 2:12), and "walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God" (Col 1:10), regardless of our external circumstances?

As we continue through this Book, reading of the experiences of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, I believe that these young men would be able to fully relate to the words of the Apostle Peter that he wrote to encourage even those called by the Name of Christ this day -

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the Name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear That Name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And,
"If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"
So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good."- 1Pet 4:12-19


Will we honor His Name? Will He honor our name? My prayer is to be found among like those in Sardis whose names Jesus will acknowledge before His Father. Our Father.

"You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels." - Rev 3:4-5

Amen.


To be continued....

Next... Obedience

Faithfulness

Observations from the Book of Daniel
Lessons for our daily walk with God
mdb

The Book of Daniel is often called a prophetic book, or apocalyptic literature, as it contains much concerning the end times in the visions of Daniel and in his interpretation of the dreams of Nebuchadnezzar. Jesus refers to Daniel as a prophet in Matt 24:15 when He speaks of the abomination of desolation of which Daniel had visions about concerning the end times. And much of the second half of Daniel parallels things from the Book of Revelation and Jesus' teachings about the end times in the Gospels. I love the picture of the Eternal Kingdom that the Lord reveals in chapters 7 & 12 particularly, and I hope to delve into that soon.

But for now I want to look at this book from a different perspective - one of faithfulness and obedience.

Firstly Faithfulness: Both God's faithfulness to those who trust in Him, and the faithfulness we- as those whom He has chosen and set apart for Himself - are to have toward Him.

Faithfulness

FAITHFULNESS (Webster's 1828)　
1. Fidelity; loyalty; firm adherence to allegiance and duty; as the faithfulness of a subject.
2. Truth; veracity; as the faithfulness of God.
3. Strict adherence to injunctions, and to the duties of a station; as the faithfulness of servants or ministers.
4. Strict performance of promises, vows or covenants; constancy in affection; as the faithfulness of a husband or wife.

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful."- Heb 10:23

"Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints!

For the LORD preserves the faithful,

And fully repays the proud person.

Be of good courage,

And He shall strengthen your heart,

All you who hope in the LORD."- Psalm 31:23-24

May we, whenever we read the Old Testament Scripture, look at these Biblical accounts of the prophets, kings and patriarchs not as just historical events, but as examples of how we, as Jesus' disciples here in the 21st century, should be living our lives: in faithfulness and devotion to a holy, righteous and loving God. We find some of the best examples of this in the writings of Daniel, of whom it was said, "he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him."

The following verses are from a Psalm of King David, but they describe very accurately the steadfastness, boldness, and faithfulness that four young Hebrew men, in the midst of the world, had toward God. We will see these characteristics displayed in their lives as we read through the first few chapters of the book of Daniel.

"Vindicate me, O LORD,

for I have led a blameless life;

I have trusted in the LORD

without wavering.
Test me, O LORD, and try me,

examine my heart and my mind;
for Your love is ever before me,

and I walk continually in Your Truth."- Psalm 26:1-3


DANIEL CHAPTER 1

The book begins with Judah being conquered by the Babylonians. Now God Himself allowed this to happen, as Daniel writes later, "because of the unfaithfulness which they committed against (Him)" (Dan 9:7)

UNFAITHFULNESS (Webster's 1828)
n. Neglect or violation of vows, promises, allegiance or other duty; breach of confidence or trust reposed; perfidiousness; treachery; as the unfaithfulness of a subject to his prince or the state; the unfaithfulness of a husband to his wife, or of a wife to her husband; the unfaithfulness of an agent, servant or officer.

"In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god." - vs 1-2

Jehoiakim, the king of Judah, had been warned by the Lord through the prophet Jeremiah. God spoke to the prophet concerning Judah and the destruction He would bring upon them unless they heeded His words and turned from their wicked ways. Our God is always faithful to provide us an opportunity to repent and stay His hand of judgment upon us.

"Take a scroll of a book and write on it all the words that I have spoken to you against Israel, against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spoke to you, from the days of Josiah even to this day. It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the adversities which I purpose to bring upon them, that everyone may turn from his evil way, that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin."
"Perhaps they will bring their petition before the LORD, and each will turn from his wicked ways, for the anger and wrath pronounced against this people by the LORD are great."

- Jer 36:2-3,7

But Jehoiakim and his prince's refused to listen and repent, and when God spoke again, judgment came...
"And you shall say to Jehoiakim king of Judah, ‘Thus says the LORD: "You have burned this scroll, saying, ‘Why have you written in it that the king of Babylon will certainly come and destroy this land, and cause man and beast to cease from here?’" 30 Therefore thus says the LORD concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah: "He shall have no one to sit on the throne of David, and his dead body shall be cast out to the heat of the day and the frost of the night. 31 I will punish him, his family, and his servants for their iniquity; and I will bring on them, on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and on the men of Judah all the doom that I have pronounced against them; but they did not heed."’"

- Jer 36:29-31

When the Lord speaks to us, do we hear? Do we heed His Word? When He sees us straying from His path, or making bad choices, He will warn us. Do we pay attention to the check in our spirit? Will we listen to the advice of a brother in Christ? Whether we do or not often affects not only ourselves but those around us - our family, our friends, even our nation. As we read above, Jehoiakim's decision to ignore God's word's of warning and His commands affected not just himself, but his family, his servants, the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all the men of Judah. These men of Judah included Jeremiah, his godly scribe Baruch, as well as young Daniel & his companions.

So here we see the setting in which Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (or Belteshazza, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego) lived, and walked faithfully with God. Taken into captivity, their lives having been affected by the poor choices of their rulers.

"Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God. Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against him, and bound him in bronze fetters to carry him off to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar also carried off some of the articles from the house of the LORD to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon. Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, the abominations which he did, and what was found against him, indeed they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. Then Jehoiachin his son reigned in his place."

- 2 Chron 36:5-8

Friends, look around you... we are in a society that, as a whole, has refused to listen to the Word of God. We have refused to repent and turn from sin. Even those in the church, who have one foot in the world, say -
"Is not the LORD in our midst?

Calamity will not come upon us." (Micah 3:11 )

Yet the Lord would say -
"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." (1 Cor 10:12 )

Unlike several of the kings and characters in the Old Testament, we MUST take the Word of God seriously. The faithfulness of God does not negate His judgment upon those who are willfully disobedient. Even us Christians, who have accepted the blood atonement and been forgiven for our past sins, will come under God's judgment if we choose to disobey Him or ignore His Word to us. Jesus' death and resurrection did not nullify His Fathers charge to us to "Love the LORD your God and keep His requirements, His decrees, His laws and His commands always." (Deut 11:1) Under the New Covenant Jesus tells us, "obey My commandments", to "deny ourselves, pick up our cross daily and follow Me", and to "love God with all our heart soul mind and strength."
The choice is always ours. To obey or disobey. To be faithful to God, or just do what pleases our own selves. To "fear God and keep His commandments", or "do whatever is right in our own eyes." Those whom God had set over Judah and Israel had the same choice. Yet they thought they would stand, heeded not God's word, and so fell...
"Because they hated knowledge

And did not choose the fear of the LORD,

They would have none of My counsel

And despised My every rebuke.

Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way,

And be filled to the full with their own fancies.

For the turning away of the simple will slay them,

And the complacency of fools will destroy them;

But whoever listens to Me will dwell safely,

And will be secure, without fear of evil. "- Prov 1:29-33

Now surely we can be secure if we are totally surrendered to Christ, and striving to walk in holiness as He commanded. But can a Holy God overlook the willful transgressions and unfaithfulness of a people He has called to walk with Him in holiness and righteousness? Has not He called us to "be holy as He is holy", and to "walk worthy of our calling"?

Let me put it this way - Should a husband accept or tolerate his wife's adultery? Could a man or woman remain united to a spouse who was continually unfaithful, no matter how much they loved them? Indeed God loves us far more than a husband and wife can love each other, but His love will never excuse or ignore unfaithfulness, especially among those who are called by His Name as a wife is called by her husbands name.

"For your Maker is your husband,

The LORD of hosts is His Name;

And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel;

He is called the God of the whole earth."

- Is 54:5

"But like a woman unfaithful to her husband, so you have been unfaithful to Me, O house of Israel," declares the LORD."- Jer 3:20

The church today speaks of a secure relationship to God, and of revival. And truly God desires and has promised a great outpouring of His Spirit upon mankind. But again, can a faithful God pour out His blessings upon an unfaithful people? As He said to His people back then, I believe our Maker is saying to us, His church, even now... "You have polluted the land with your harlotries and your wickedness."
"Therefore the showers have been withheld,

And there has been no latter rain.

You have had a harlot’s forehead;

You refuse to be ashamed."

- Jer 3:2b-3

This Word given to Israel is the same Word He is speaking to us today. Will we be ashamed of our unfaithful deeds, repent before the Lord our God, and turn from our wickedness? Or will we despise His rebuke as king Jehoiakim, and reject His correction.

Unfaithful deeds and attitudes. All that God declares will not inherit the Kingdom of God- "adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and the like" (Gal 5:19-21) - is what stripped the promised kingdom from the Israelites.

We must remember that these in Judah and Israel were God's chosen people, whom He had saved and called to be a light to the Gentiles. Yet they fell because of disobedience. Today we have some who would say to us that our eternity is secure, that God does not see nor will He judge us. Dear friends, "This is what the LORD Almighty says:

"Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you;

they fill you with false hopes.

They speak visions from their own minds,

not from the mouth of the LORD.
They keep saying to those who despise me,

'The LORD says: You will have peace.'

And to all who follow the stubbornness of their hearts

they say, 'No harm will come to you.'"- Jer 23:16-17
"They have envisioned futility and false divination, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD!’ But the LORD has not sent them; yet they hope that the word may be confirmed."

- Eze 13:6

God's judgment will come first to the Church, "Because, indeed, because they have seduced My people, saying, ‘Peace!’ when there is no peace" (Eze 13:10), and particularly to the shepherds "Who swear by the name of the LORD, And make mention of the God of Israel, But not in truth or in righteousness." (Is 48:1)

Believing in something does not make it true, no matter how much we want it to be so. Peace and joy and security come only when we are faithful to Him from Whom comes "every good and perfect gift." (James 1:17)

The job of leaders and rulers is to seek out The Truth, and "teach (God's) people the difference between the holy and the profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean." (Eze 44:23)

It was not the devil who surprised an unsuspecting innocent people and brought an enemy upon them. It was the Lord, Himself, who delivered His people into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar. It was because of the blatant unfaithfulness of a people who knew better that "the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into (Nebuchadnezzar's) hand."　
You may ask... 'why would a loving, faithful, God allow His people to be taken captive by the enemy?' Many are asking that same question today.

I believe God's question to us is... 'Will you love Me with all your heart, soul, mind and strength? Will you be faithful to Me?' For...
"My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land,

That they may dwell with Me;

He who walks in a perfect way,

He shall serve Me."

- Psalm 101:6

May we be found among those who are faithful.

"O Love the LORD, all you his saints!

The LORD preserves the faithful

but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.
Be strong, and let your heart take courage,

all you who wait for the LORD!"- Psalm 31:23-24

to be continued...

next... Called By Name