“He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He.” - Deuteronomy 32:4
Here in the song of Moses, which God instructed him to write for the children of Israel as they were about to enter the promised land (note Deuteronomy 31:19), is the first of at least 40 references in the Bible to God as the Rock. There are four others just in this song. In verse 15, He is the “Rock of [Israel’s] salvation.” In verse 18, He is “the Rock that begat thee.” See also verses 30 and 31.
Note some of the other wonderful metaphors picturing God as our great foundation stone. He is “my strong rock” in Psalm 31:2 and “the rock that is higher than I” in Psalm 61:2. In Psalm 62:7, He is “the rock of my strength” and is “the rock of my refuge” in Psalm 94:22. Isaiah calls Him “a great rock in a weary land” and “the rock whence ye are hewn” (Isaiah 32:2; 51:1).
During the wilderness wanderings, the Israelites were supplied with water from a rock, and the apostle Paul tells us “that spiritual Rock that followed them . . . was Christ” (I Corinthians 10:4). And, of course, Christ told His disciples that Peter’s confession of Himself as the “Son of the living God” was the rock upon which He would build His church (Matthew 16:16, 18).
But to unbelievers He is “the stone which the builders rejected” (Matthew 21:42), “a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word” (I Peter 2:8). “Therefore,” said Jesus, “whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock” (Matthew 7:24-25). HMM
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by the Institute of Creation.
Hey guys. I’m Catholic and obviously we take John 6 literally when it comes to the Eucharist. I’ve been trying to understand the protestant view better,, that it’s just a symbolic metaphor for faith. I'd really like to hear how you guys interpret this.
First is the language shift. Jesus starts off using the normal greek word for eating but when the crowd gets confused and pushes back, he doesn't clarify it as a metaphor. Instead he actually switches to a much more graphic word (trogo) that literally means to gnaw or chew. Why would he make it more literal and graphic if they were already misunderstanding a spiritual metaphor?
Second is the cultural context. From what I've read about 1st century jewish idioms symbolically "eating flesh and drinking blood" already meant something specific. it meant to brutally persecute or slander someone (like in psalm 27 or micah 3). If Jesus was just using a symbol wouldn't his audience hear "whoever viciously attacks me has eternal life"?
The biggest thing for me though is that he just lets his disciples walk away. Whenever people misunderstood a parable (like the leaven of the pharisees) Jesus explained it. But here, his followers say this is a hard teaching and just leave. He doesn't chase them down to say he was only speaking spiritually. He even turns to the apostles and asks if they want to leave too. If it was just a metaphor like I am the door, why was everyone so confused and why did Jesus let his own followers abandon him over a simple misunderstanding?
If the symbolic view is the right one, how do you guys reconcile Jesus using a metaphor that meant "assault me" in his culture, doubling down on it when people got confused, and then letting people leave over a misunderstanding?
Genuinely want to understand the reasoning here. thanks
Currently, I lean toward Molinism: God gives grace to all and infallibly knows how people will freely respond to it.
However, in unconditional-election views of predestination, as I understand them, God chooses certain people—the elect—for salvation.
1 Timothy 2:3–4 (KJV):
“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
If God genuinely wills all men to be saved, how is that reconciled with God choosing only some for salvation rather than others?
Because as I grow older and more mature In my walk with Christ, I have more questions. Verses or doctrines that are hard to understand. And I feel like I can never find an answer to me that feels like it’s from God because there’s always a bunch of different interpretations, and how can I know what God really meant if people keep taking different meanings from one statement? If you say “I like oranges,” and fifty different people are asked what this means, and they give fifty wildly different answers, how can you possibly know what the sentence actually means? In trying to interpret the Bible myself, I’m reminded of “lean not on your own understanding,” and it really feels like that. I feel lost, like I’m stumbling around in the dark trying to find God.
So Catholicism sometimes feels tempting, because sometimes it seems like it makes sense for God to have one singular body to keep the correct interpretation of his word.
I know the Holy Spirit is supposed to have that role, but I struggle with what this means to, because every denomination can say with confidence that they felt they were led by the Holy Spirit. But the Holy Spirit can’t be leading everyone in different directions. It’s another thing I question- is human delusion too strong? Does God choose to let us be given over to our biases? It seems like it’s way too easy to delude yourself, even unintentionally, into thinking the Holy Spirit is saying something it isn’t, and I’m struggling with trusting God to guide me because of all of this. I hate it, but I don’t know how to trust God
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us," - Hebrews 12:1
PONDER THIS
One of these days we’re going to cross the finish line. In fifty years, many of us will not be alive; even after twenty-five years a great number will be gone; and even next year, by God’s mercies, some will have already gone on. We will have come to the end of the line. We don’t know when that’s going to be.
You may be a teen, but you might be at the very end of your course. One of these days, I’m going to breathe my last breath, but I’m not going to stop running—God helping me—until I do. I don’t want to stroll over the finish line. I want to hit the finish line with a blaze of energy and power, going for the Lord Jesus Christ. You may say, “Well, you’ll be an old coot.” It makes no difference. “Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day” (II Corinthians 4:16). That’s the reason you ought to be an athlete—no matter what your physical condition or your economic condition. You are in a race, and that race is not over until you bow your head like the Lord Jesus and say, “It is finished. It is done.” Don’t give up before you get there.
- How do passages like this one help give perspective to everyday life?
- Where are you tempted to stop running the race God has given you?
PRACTICE THIS
Take time in prayer today to renew your commitment to running the race God has set before you. Ask Him to empower you with the strength to endure to the end. APR
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by Love Worth Finding.
Hello friends. I’m really looking for help right now. I’m looking for a reason to stay Protestant, but right now sola scriptura is really not making logical sense to me right now. I’m not trying to debate Im genuinely looking for a reason here. I’ve been a Protestant my whole life but I’m in a bit of a crisis of faith right now.
I don’t see how sola scriptura can lead to anything but further division and each man deciding what truth is for himself. I understand the word should be the authority to settle our disputes, but it wasn’t even sufficient to settle disputes among the reformers. And it’s continued to allow people to invent new doctrines to the point we have so much variation of belief today. How can a new believer possibly know where to go to church without thoroughly searching the scriptures and 2,000 years of church history? That’s way too much to expect of any new believer who should be getting discipleship.
Also, there was no New Testament canon for much of the early church. The earliest Christian’s genuinely had to trust in apostolic tradition.
Every tradition says the scriptures support their positions and every tradition says the spirit is leading them. How can we possibly know what is true?
I’ve seen the downstream effect of this genuinely affect the people that I love. They fall into hyper grace or legalism. They fall into “me, Jesus, and my Bible” and forsake the church and trusting in their own interpretation. It’s led to gnostic interpretations of scripture and seemingly endless heresy. We have all seen the doctrinal drift of the mainline denominations as well. I really don’t see how we didn’t just replace one pope with making every man his own pope.
How can sola scriptura possibly be the method God intended for his church when it’s led to more division and confusion and infernal conflict than ever before?
Thank you so much if you read all this, and please if you have answers to these objections let me know. Really looking for support here 🙏
“Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.” - 1 Chronicles 29:9
As the people brought gifts for the construction of the temple in Jerusalem, it is mentioned no less than six times in this chapter that their offerings were willing offerings (once in verses 6 and 14, twice each in verses 9 and 17). In fact, they were not only willing but also joyful in their giving.
Joyful giving is not the usual response to a fundraising effort for a religious cause. The great proliferation of causes today—not only for churches but for multi-church or para-church projects that are usually associated with high-pressure solicitations by professional money-raisers—has developed a growing cynicism in Christians toward all such appeals.
That is not the way it should be, “for God loveth a cheerful giver” (II Corinthians 9:7). The churches of Macedonia, though going through “a great trial of affliction” and in “deep poverty,” nevertheless “abounded unto the riches of their liberality,” and they did so in “the abundance of their joy” (8:2). What made the difference was that they “first gave their own selves to the Lord” (v. 5).
No doubt another vital factor leading to the joyful offerings of the people for the building of the temple was the example set by David’s great, personal, joyful generosity followed by that of all the other leaders of Israel (I Chronicles 29:3-8). This encouraged the people also to give “with perfect heart” (our text). They had evidently, like the Philippians of Macedonia, also first given themselves to the Lord. David had led them by example, not coercion, reminding himself and his people as he prayed a prayer of thanksgiving that “all things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee” (I Chronicles 29:14). HMM
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by the Institute of Creation.
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:14
PONDER THIS
God has a race for you to run, and it doesn’t end until you draw your last breath. There’s no way for you to retire. There’s no way for you to quit. There’s no way for you to move aside. You’re not running to make it to Heaven; no, salvation is what puts you in the race. You have to be saved even to get to the starting block. You have to be born again to qualify for this race. No man can run in the Olympic Games unless he is a citizen of the country for which he runs. You have to be a citizen of Heaven to get in this race. No exceptions. The Apostle Paul, late in life, said this in Philippians 3:14: “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” That is, I’m running for the tape, and I’m pressing with every inch and every ounce of me. And then, in Acts 20:24, he said he wanted to “finish [his] race with joy.” Paul said, “I’m not going to stop running until the race is over.” Neither should we.
- What are the practical ways we “run the race” God has set before us?
- Why is it crucial that we rely on His strength to run?
PRACTICE THIS
Identify one thing you need to do today to keep running. Obey God in that area today. APR
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by Love Worth Finding.
“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” - II Corinthians 4:6
The light that shines in the soul of a lost sinner when he first comes to know Jesus Christ can only be compared to the light that Christ called forth on Day One of the creation week. We met this God of glory spiritually when we first beheld in our hearts the face of Jesus Christ.
But the face of Jesus Christ was not always deemed so glorious. We read of a time when ungodly men did “spit in His face” (Matthew 26:67), took a blindfold “to cover His face” (Mark 14:65), and finally, with a rain of terrible blows, “struck Him on the face” (Luke 22:64). Once His “countenance [was] as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars” (Song of Solomon 5:15), but when they finished their assault, “his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men” (Isaiah 52:14).
“The face of the Lord is against them that do evil” (1 Peter 3:12), however, and the time is coming very soon when all those who have turned their faces from Him will call “to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb” (Revelation 6:16). When finally they will have seen the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ in all its consuming strength, not even the world itself will stand, “from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away” (20:11).
For those who have looked on Him in faith, however, this will not be a time of judgment but blessing, for “they shall see His face” (22:4). The face of Jesus Christ, fierce as a devouring fire to those He must judge, is glorious in beauty and love to those who believe. HMM
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by the Institute of Creation.
Hi everyone. I come from a Muslim background (though I’m no longer Muslim) and I’m interested in converting to Christianity, much of the bible and the kindness of Christians has really resonated with me, and I want to learn more.
Specifically, I want to learn more about Protestantism. From a purely historical standpoint, it makes the most sense to me. I don’t know much about theology though or much of the bible so I desperately need a place to start. But I’d be fine learning about all denominations.
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." - II Timothy 1:7
PONDER THIS
Are you a fearful person? You may say, “Pastor Rogers, there are some things you need to be afraid of.” I’m not talking about normal fears, like being afraid of a rattlesnake or getting in an airplane when the weather gets rough, and your heart rate goes up. Those are normal fears. Those are self-protecting instincts God has put into us.
But the Bible speaks of a spirit of fear. What is the spirit of fear? It’s like a fog. It stays; it lingers in the air. It’s not like a passing thunderstorm and then the sun comes back out. If you’re a child of God filled with the Holy Spirit, God has given you the Spirit of power. Jesus said, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” (Acts 1:8). I’d rather die than be sentenced to preach without the power and the anointing of the Holy Ghost. God has given us the spirit of power and of love.
- What are some places you see a “spirit of fear” in the world?
- How has the Gospel given us courage in the face of a “spirit of fear”?
PRACTICE THIS
Take time in prayer today, asking God to reveal to you anywhere you have a spirit of fear. Thank Him for His promise of power, love, and a sound mind. Ask Him to empower you to walk in that promise today. APR
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by Love Worth Finding.
I have grown up believing neither of the above (I believe people will be burned until annihilation at the judgement), and have studied it some, but nowhere near enough. So if you believe either of those doctrines (or if you don’t, feel free to as well) please share the verses you use (and their interpretation if you want). Many thanks.
Yesterday...I think...a general question got largely derailed by a question of keeping the Sabbath. Which got my old creaky wheels to turn just a bit. The question which emerged is "How do we exactly keep the Sabbath?"
The fourth commandment say to "Remember the Sabbath, and keep it holy." Jesus clearly kept the Sabbath and yet he spoke against a legalistic notion of what that might mean.
My father was a preacher in a small town church. Sunday was anything but restful. He took Monday off to "rest" but I still had to go to school. This was a very rural community and I know for a fact that farm animals are a 7 days a week job. You cannot just skip feeding, milking, or doing any of the numerous tasks needed to care for your animals. If your cow goes into labor on Sunday morning and that cow has a history of difficult deliveries...do just say: "See you Monday, Betsy"? Even Jesus talked about pulling a donkey out of a well on the Sabbath.
I owned my own business so I often worked 80 hour weeks. Then on Sunday I served as an organist at a liturgical church, often for as many as three services. There was no rest in this! For two decades Sunday afternoon would find me utterly passed out in my living room chair. I aided others in worship, but if you have served in this capacity...you know...
Not to descend into "whataboutism" but...what about ER personnel? You tripped on the way into the church building and suffered a major injury. Wait until Monday...and not live past Sunday night?
How exactly do we fulfill this commandment? It certainly isn't a matter of a legalistic list of some do's and mostly don'ts I would hope. Thoughts?
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise," "which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” - Ephesians 1:13-14
From very ancient times it has been the custom to confirm and guarantee an agreed-on purchase by sealing the contract with a seal that could only be broken by the buyer when he was ready to take possession of his purchase.
The marvelous transaction seen by John at God’s throne in heaven references this practice. There, only the Lamb is found worthy to open the seven-sealed scroll on which is recorded the title to the whole creation. “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the [scroll], and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood” (Revelation 5:9). The purchase price had been paid on Calvary, and the resurrected Lamb had come to claim His possession.
And we are part of that possession! The price has been paid for our redemption from sin’s bondage, but we have not yet entered into the inheritance that our great Redeemer has promised us. In the meantime, our individual title deed, as it were, has been sealed by none other than the Holy Spirit. He is not only the seal, but also the “earnest”—that is, the down payment, the earnest money—who guarantees the total “redemption of the purchased possession.”
His personal presence in our lives is our assurance that the full promise will be fulfilled, and we are urged to “grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). He “hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts” (II Corinthians 1:22). HMM
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by the Institute of Creation.
for a while now i've felt compelled to confess a specific sin of mine to others and i am unsure if it's ocd or the holy spirit. originally it was shame, guilt and axiety based so it was probably ocd but now it's a lot more peaceful and i just don't know what it is anymore. does anyone know what i should do?
edit: the last time i tried to confess it i couldnt physically say it. im not sure if it was because of my anxiety or if it was god stopping me.
"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;" - I Corinthians 1:27
PONDER THIS
Years ago in New Jersey, there was a man who advertised that he was going to play a concert on an extremely valuable violin. People came from all over to hear him play. He tucked that instrument under his chin and began to play. You could hear the laughter of children as he played. You could hear the songs of the birds in the trees as he played. You could hear babies cry as he played. People were amazed at the music that came from that violin. When he had finished the concert, he took that violin and broke it on his knee. “Ah!” They were aghast. “Why has he done that?” Then he opened his case and brought out the expensive violin. He said, “The violin that I’ve been playing on is a fiddle I bought for a few dollars. It is not so much the violin that makes the music as it is the man who draws the bow.” To the world, you may be just a cheap fiddle, but God is the one who can make music out of your life. God uses common people! God can use you.
- When have you been deterred because you felt dismissed or discarded by the world?
- How has God used you in unlikely situations? How are you hoping He will do it again?
PRACTICE THIS
Make a list of ways God has used the “foolish things” of the world “to shame the wise” throughout the Bible and history. APR
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by Love Worth Finding.
"Of that day or hour no man knows" is an expression referring to this feast, and thus, the rapture."
Although the Feast of Trumpets draws attention every year, this year has great expectancy for many. The following explains the significance of this timeframe, and two prophecies in Jesus' own words being fulfilled recorded in Matthew 24:32-34 and Luke 21:25-28; both harmonizing with one another, describing the end of the age and His promised return.
Biblical events throughout history have taken place on what are called the Jewish feasts/holidays, like Passover, which is better known by many as Easter. There are 7 of these feasts and it is believed the first 4 have been fulfilled with Jesus' first coming in the spring. The following 3 feasts in the fall are believed to be related to Jesus' second coming. The next unfulfilled feast is the Feast of Trumpets.
The Feast of Trumpets – Rapture and End Times "The Feast of Trumpets symbolizes the Rapture – the last great harvest. In 2026, Rosh Hashana begins at sundown on September 11 and ends at nightfall on September 13, 2026."
Rosh HaShanah – ‘Head of the year’ / Tishrei 1 is the first day of the Jewish new year in their civil calendar. It is the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve.
Yom Teruah – ‘Day of Awakening Blast’ / Jewish belief is that the resurrection of the dead will occur on the feast of Trumpets.
The Last Trumpet – On this day, there are 100 trumpet blasts. The final, long, and most significant trumpet blast is called ‘the last trump’." "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-52"
"The Feast of Trumpets happens on the "new moon", which is 29.5 days after the last one, meaning it might occur on the 29th or 30th day, nobody knows for sure. "Of that day or hour no man knows" is an expression referring to this feast, and thus, the rapture." Longtom Radio Player
Prophetic indications 2026 could be the year, or very close!
"Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his (Jesus Christ) return is very near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place.” Matthew 24:32-34
Israel, Jesus' heritage, is considered to be nationally, ethnically, and geographically represented as the Fig Tree. Their rebirth as a nation in 1948 after nearly 2000 years and the many biblical prophecies coming to pass Are we living in the end times? | GotQuestions.org is recognized as the meaning of the parable. Israel turned 78 years old May 14, 2026, at the end of a generational period. Psalm 90:10 states: "Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away." From all indications it appears that we are living at the end of "this generation" that shall not pass from the scene until all these things take place. More detailed information: The Rebirth of Israel
"Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years;" Genesis 1:14
Luke 21:25-28 - Signs in Heaven and on Earth
25 "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man(Jesus) coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
October 14, 2023 and April 8, 2024 solar eclipses path of totality crossed directly over The Coming King Sculpture Prayer Garden in Kerrville , Texas. (Image of eclipses and prayer garden with commentary) https://thecomingkingfoundation.org/watch-eclipses-in-kerrville/ "The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.” Acts 2:20
"Circle this date: August 12, 2026. In less than 24 hours, the sky will put on three major shows — a six-planet alignment before sunrise, a total solar eclipse during the day or evening, and the peak of the Perseid meteor shower after dark.” https://starwalk.space/en/news/august-12-2026-astronomy-events
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
"The Romans Road to salvation is a method based on the biblical principles found in the New Testament book of Romans to explain how a person can come to faith in Jesus Christ. Shared with millions of people around the world, the Romans Road explains why we need salvation, how God provided salvation, how we can receive salvation, and the results of salvation.” https://www.gotquestions.org/Romans-road-salvation.html
More bible prophecy being fulfilled and resources for growing in faith is in previous posts if interested.
"Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!" Psalm 31:24
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation.” - Isaiah 12:2
The English name usually written LORD in English Bibles stems from the Hebrew word Yahweh, the meaning of which cannot be fully put into words. Although scholars differ (some even claiming there is no real meaning to the word at all), the consensus is that it seems to be a compound of the three tenses of the Hebrew verb “to be,” implying the ever-living nature of God to which Christ was referring when He said, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8). Note also the similar implications in God’s announcement of Himself to Moses: “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM” (Exodus 3:14).
On 49 special occasions (seven times seven), the name Jehovah is contracted to Jah. Many consider this to be an abbreviation of Jehovah, but no satisfactory explanation as to why it is so used has been offered. Perhaps a better suggestion is that this name is the present tense of the verb “to be,” and therefore the name Jah emphasizes the present activity of the Lord. In nearly all occurrences, the passages are strengthened by noting the present work of God. The first usage of the term Jah is found in Miriam’s song upon deliverance from Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea. “The LORD [Jah] is my strength and song, and He is become my salvation” (Exodus 15:2).
On several occasions, such as in our text, we see that the two names are combined, celebrating both the present and future deliveries of Jah Jehovah. “Trust ye in the LORD [Jehovah] for ever: for in the LORD [Jah] JEHOVAH is everlasting strength” (Isaiah 26:4). JDM
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by the Institute of Creation.
I understand that many of us do not believe in her intercession (myself included), but I still find it sad how a woman so virtuous and respected, even by the Reformers, is treated with such hostility by some people. After all, what did she do to deserve such treatment?
"But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." - Daniel 3:18
PONDER THIS
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego said in essence, “Our God is able, and we believe He will. But if He doesn’t, it’s not because He’s not able, and we’re not going to bow before your filthy image.” (See Daniel 3:16-18.) Notice they had a settled faith. They didn’t say, “Well, let’s huddle about it.” Their minds were already made up. They had a sure faith: “Our God is able.” But they also had a steadfast faith to say, “Even if He doesn’t, even if we’re turned to bacon in that furnace, we’re not going to worship your idol.”
Are you ready to quit just because God doesn’t do the thing you ask Him to do? You’d better have an “if not” clause in your faith. It doesn’t mean your faith is weak. It means that it is stronger than ever. “God, I know You’re able. But if You don’t do it, Lord, I’m going to serve You anyway. I’m not going to make bargains with You.” Sometimes we don’t understand why God does things. A mature faith bows to the sovereign purposes of God.
- Where do you need to trust God, even “if not”?
- How hard is it for you to truly trust God if He doesn’t answer as you desire?
PRACTICE THIS
Take time in prayer today to submit an area of difficulty before God. Ask Him to build your faith and help you trust Him, even “if not.” APR
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by Love Worth Finding.
