by David Scott Robertson
First of all, I am not, nor have I ever been, a valedictorian at anything academic. As a matter of fact, I botched typing the word "valedictorian" so bad that my spell checker had to come to my rescue.
However, my wife and I did go to my niece's high school graduation last evening and not only did we celebrate a remarkable family moment, but interestingly enough we got to hear several valedictorians give their speeches before the diplomas were distributed. I think it's a charming tradition.
I suppose school officials reason that it's a nice incentive to offer students who have earned a perfect grade point average the chance to get up in front of all their friends, family, and photographers and say something intelligent. Then again, given our general phobia to public speaking, it could act as a deterrent! How ironic! (Sort of like the student who hasn't missed a day of school in four years being absent to receive their perfect attendance plaque due to sickness!)
At any rate, the whole evening got me thinking about what I would have said to my graduating class (class of '78) had I been a valedictorian. I think it would have sounded something like this…
"Friends, faculty, family, and honored guests - it is a great privilege to stand before you this evening. I've been asked to address you, my graduating class, and leave you with some parting words of wisdom. But the truth of the matter is, like many of you, I just turned 18 years old, so what do I really know so profoundly wise that I can pass it on to you?
There is one piece of advice, my fellow graduates, that I want to send you into your future with and that is this: Choose your mentors well.
When choosing a mentor, don't look for the young man with perfect abs and runners' legs, seek out an old man with a pot belly and a limp. Ask him how he got the limp and how you can avoid getting one yourself.
Don't base your important life choices on the opinion of a young girl who has dyed her hair purple. I don't have a problem with purple hair, it's just that an older woman with gray hair is better. Ask a white-headed woman how she survived the Depression without losing her marriage.
Don't look for understanding and knowledge from the young man sporting a brand new tattoo on his chiseled bicep. Look for an arm with a sagging, faded tattoo surrounded by wrinkles and fat and ask the man attached to it for counsel.
Don't look with great expectation to the girl with her nose and belly button pierced for help in charting the course for your life. Look to the woman with an eight-inch scar on her belly that she got from delivering her stillborn baby C-section and ask her how she managed to live through and beyond her grief.
I challenge you, fellow graduates, to choose your mentors well. Consider the words of God, who invented wisdom who said that "wisdom is established in the presence of many counselors." And consider also in looking to Jesus Christ for guidance throughout your entire lifetime, for of Him it has been written that "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ."
My friends, quote the Bible and you will never be wrong. Live by it and your life will turn out all right. Learn from the mistakes of others. In choosing your mentors, look for not only those who have taken risks and failed, but look for those who have taken risks and failed forward, gaining something that you and I don't have yet as teenagers - experience.
My advice to you, graduating class of 1978, is my advice to my own self. Let us choose our mentors well so that one day we may grow and mature into mentors ourselves who will one day pass along the experience we have gained from our successes and failures to those who will follow our leadership.
Thank you, good night, God bless you, and God bless America!"
DSR
5/31/04
Monday, May 31, 2004
Monday, May 24, 2004
Let's Ask God First
by David Scott Robertson
"Then Saul said, 'Let's chase the Philistines all night and destroy every last one of them.' His men replied, 'We'll do whatever you think is best.' But the priest said, 'Let's ask God first'" (1 Samuel 14:36).
* * *
Leaders, like King Saul in this instance, will often make decisions out of emotion instead of wisdom gained by seeking God. Unfortunately, there are those who will follow right along saying, "we'll do whatever you think is best." But priceless is the person who will interrupt the process by saying, "let's ask God first."
In Saul's case, the words of the priest prompted the king to inquire of the Lord which led to the discovery that there was sin in the camp that would have prohibited God from supporting Saul's battle orders.
Earlier, Saul had initiated inquiring of the Lord but bailed out prematurely.
"Then Saul shouted to Ahijah, 'Bring the ephod here…But while Saul was talking to the priest, the shouting and confusion in the Philistine camp grew louder and louder. So Saul said to Ahijah, 'Never mind; let's get going!' Then Saul and his six hundred men rushed out to the battle…" (1 Samuel 14:18-19).
Saul's career as king was plagued with poor decisions, rash vows, and blatant disobedience to the Lord. Saul's chronic habit of making soulish decisions (based on his reasoning ability and emotional state at the time) caused God's first choice of a king for His people to become disqualified and the Lord replaced him with David (a man after His own heart).
Had Saul learned early in his reign to observe two key rules of effective leadership consistently, he would have enjoyed an enduring dynasty, for God had said through the prophet Samuel:
"...Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time" (1 Samuel 13:13).
The two principles Saul (and any aspiring leader) should consistently observe are:
1. Ask God first
2. Wait until you hear His reply before acting
Untold grief, heartache, and peril can be avoided by observing these two simple rules.
Saul and his men "rushed off into battle" without the word of the Lord and in the process of time it cost them all their lives. True wisdom lies in the ability to learn from the mistakes of others without repeating them yourself.
God's will for you and me is to successfully navigate around the many pitfalls and booby traps the enemy has set before us. To do this requires asking God before entering the minefield and having the good sense to wait on Him to reveal where the explosives are hidden before rushing off into spiritual battle.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him"(James 1:5).
DSR
5/24/04
"Then Saul said, 'Let's chase the Philistines all night and destroy every last one of them.' His men replied, 'We'll do whatever you think is best.' But the priest said, 'Let's ask God first'" (1 Samuel 14:36).
* * *
Leaders, like King Saul in this instance, will often make decisions out of emotion instead of wisdom gained by seeking God. Unfortunately, there are those who will follow right along saying, "we'll do whatever you think is best." But priceless is the person who will interrupt the process by saying, "let's ask God first."
In Saul's case, the words of the priest prompted the king to inquire of the Lord which led to the discovery that there was sin in the camp that would have prohibited God from supporting Saul's battle orders.
Earlier, Saul had initiated inquiring of the Lord but bailed out prematurely.
"Then Saul shouted to Ahijah, 'Bring the ephod here…But while Saul was talking to the priest, the shouting and confusion in the Philistine camp grew louder and louder. So Saul said to Ahijah, 'Never mind; let's get going!' Then Saul and his six hundred men rushed out to the battle…" (1 Samuel 14:18-19).
Saul's career as king was plagued with poor decisions, rash vows, and blatant disobedience to the Lord. Saul's chronic habit of making soulish decisions (based on his reasoning ability and emotional state at the time) caused God's first choice of a king for His people to become disqualified and the Lord replaced him with David (a man after His own heart).
Had Saul learned early in his reign to observe two key rules of effective leadership consistently, he would have enjoyed an enduring dynasty, for God had said through the prophet Samuel:
"...Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time" (1 Samuel 13:13).
The two principles Saul (and any aspiring leader) should consistently observe are:
1. Ask God first
2. Wait until you hear His reply before acting
Untold grief, heartache, and peril can be avoided by observing these two simple rules.
Saul and his men "rushed off into battle" without the word of the Lord and in the process of time it cost them all their lives. True wisdom lies in the ability to learn from the mistakes of others without repeating them yourself.
God's will for you and me is to successfully navigate around the many pitfalls and booby traps the enemy has set before us. To do this requires asking God before entering the minefield and having the good sense to wait on Him to reveal where the explosives are hidden before rushing off into spiritual battle.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him"(James 1:5).
DSR
5/24/04
Monday, May 17, 2004
Restitution
by David Scott Robertson
"Then Samuel addressed the people again: 'I have done as you asked and given you a king…Now tell me as I stand before the Lord and before his anointed one - whose ox or donkey have I stolen? Have I ever cheated any of you? Have I ever oppressed you? Have I ever taken a bribe? Tell me and I will make right whatever I have done wrong'" (1 Samuel 12:1,3-4).
* * *
The prophet Samuel is an impressive example of a man of integrity. No wonder God used him so mightily. Samuel was a man of sterling character and it shines very bright in the statement above which he has just made at King Saul's inauguration. Samuel demonstrates before all Israel the importance of a powerful principle called "restitution."
Simply put, restitution means making right whatever you have done wrong. It means (gulp) admitting you were wrong and taking action to correct it. It means doing everything possible within your power to convert a negative into a positive. The phrase "I'll make it up to you" is a good example of the principle of restitution in operation.
Here's how it might have worked in Samuel's case. If someone were to have stepped forward at his pointed questions and reminded him of a time when he (perhaps unintentionally) borrowed an ox or donkey and failed to return it - I believe Samuel would have left the platform immediately and made the matter right.
If Samuel had cheated someone, he would have paid back the offended party with interest. If at that moment it came to light that he had unfairly oppressed someone, he would have offered a public apology to them on the spot. If he were to have taken a bribe he would have confessed that as sin and worked diligently to undo the injustice he had been responsible for through his lapse in character. Knowing Samuel and God's call on his life, I believe he would have relentlessly worked to make whatever wrong he had caused right in the lives of those whom he was called to serve.
It's difficult, if not impossible, to live a lifetime and never offend, hurt, or inconvenience another person in some way. To think otherwise is an unrealistic expectation. But once the violation has been discovered where you have infringed on someone else's property, rights, or feelings, simply activate the principle of restitution. That is to say, immediately (or as soon as reasonably possible) begin the process of making it right! As much as possible, and as far as it has to do with you, make it right! And do it with a good attitude!
Here are some contemporary examples of restitution at work:
- A father is out of town on a business trip and misses his son's 12th birthday party. He returns with a present and takes an extra day off work to take his son to Six Flags theme park.
- A man's pickup truck slides off a rain-slicked curve and plows down a mailbox. He not only replaces the mailbox with a brand new (and better one picked out by the homeowner) but he plants a patch of beautiful flowers around it.
- A teenager borrows his parent's car and wrecks it. The insurance company pays for the repair but the kid pays the deductible and pays to have the car detailed when it comes out of the body shop.
- A girl borrows a neighbor's car and returns it filled with gas.
- A high school student slanders a classmate but later apologizes in front of her friends and invites her to sit with her at lunch.
- A next door neighbor borrows the lawn mower and hits a tree root and bends the blade but he pays for the repair and has the oil and spark plug changed to boot.
- In a fit of anger, a hole is punched in the wall - it is fixed and new wallpaper is put up in its place.
Restitution. When it works well it almost seems like the offended party comes out ahead! They actually are better off in the long run than before the incident happened! They get something new or better or nicer. The principle of restitution is so potent that even enemies can be transformed into friends through its power.
In discussing this principle, we must admit that sometimes full restitution is difficult or even impossible. In the case where you have been directly or indirectly responsible for someone's losing their life or being permanently disabled as a result of your mistake, then restitution is not easy. Committing adultery with another person's spouse is another example where restitution is very complex:
"But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself. Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away; for jealousy arouses a husband's fury, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge. He will not accept any compensation; he will refuse the bribe, however great it is" (Proverbs 6:32-35).
In these cases, I recommend doing the best you can under the circumstances and under the guidance of the Lord and godly counselors. Doing nothing is not good; doing what you can is good. You CAN express remorse. You CAN share grief. You CAN demonstrate repentance and ask for forgiveness. If you genuinely repent, God will forgive you even if men will not. But bitter, unforgiving hearts are a job for the Holy Spirit to deal with, not you.
My encouragement to you in this thought is to make the principle of restitution one of the core values of your life. When (not if) you discover you have hurt another person in any way, either intentionally or unintentionally, begin right away to make it right. Don't let the sun go down until you begin making preparation and plans to deal with the matter as best you can. Don't let sleep come to your eyes until you come up with a tentative plan and a workable solution to redeem the situation where it benefits the person you hurt as much as humanly possible.
Remember: In attempting to make restitution, (where applicable) you should ask the offended party: "What can I do to make it up to you?" Then try to meet their demand, and add a little bit extra, just for the trouble.
Offenses will come; they are absolutely inevitable. But as far as it has to do with you, be a man or woman of principle by applying as often as necessary the principle of restitution. People will notice this unusual quality about you and some will begin to imitate you and the gift of restitution will spread. And God will be pleased.
"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."
-- The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Christians in Rome (Romans 12:17-18)
DSR
5/17/04
"Then Samuel addressed the people again: 'I have done as you asked and given you a king…Now tell me as I stand before the Lord and before his anointed one - whose ox or donkey have I stolen? Have I ever cheated any of you? Have I ever oppressed you? Have I ever taken a bribe? Tell me and I will make right whatever I have done wrong'" (1 Samuel 12:1,3-4).
* * *
The prophet Samuel is an impressive example of a man of integrity. No wonder God used him so mightily. Samuel was a man of sterling character and it shines very bright in the statement above which he has just made at King Saul's inauguration. Samuel demonstrates before all Israel the importance of a powerful principle called "restitution."
Simply put, restitution means making right whatever you have done wrong. It means (gulp) admitting you were wrong and taking action to correct it. It means doing everything possible within your power to convert a negative into a positive. The phrase "I'll make it up to you" is a good example of the principle of restitution in operation.
Here's how it might have worked in Samuel's case. If someone were to have stepped forward at his pointed questions and reminded him of a time when he (perhaps unintentionally) borrowed an ox or donkey and failed to return it - I believe Samuel would have left the platform immediately and made the matter right.
If Samuel had cheated someone, he would have paid back the offended party with interest. If at that moment it came to light that he had unfairly oppressed someone, he would have offered a public apology to them on the spot. If he were to have taken a bribe he would have confessed that as sin and worked diligently to undo the injustice he had been responsible for through his lapse in character. Knowing Samuel and God's call on his life, I believe he would have relentlessly worked to make whatever wrong he had caused right in the lives of those whom he was called to serve.
It's difficult, if not impossible, to live a lifetime and never offend, hurt, or inconvenience another person in some way. To think otherwise is an unrealistic expectation. But once the violation has been discovered where you have infringed on someone else's property, rights, or feelings, simply activate the principle of restitution. That is to say, immediately (or as soon as reasonably possible) begin the process of making it right! As much as possible, and as far as it has to do with you, make it right! And do it with a good attitude!
Here are some contemporary examples of restitution at work:
- A father is out of town on a business trip and misses his son's 12th birthday party. He returns with a present and takes an extra day off work to take his son to Six Flags theme park.
- A man's pickup truck slides off a rain-slicked curve and plows down a mailbox. He not only replaces the mailbox with a brand new (and better one picked out by the homeowner) but he plants a patch of beautiful flowers around it.
- A teenager borrows his parent's car and wrecks it. The insurance company pays for the repair but the kid pays the deductible and pays to have the car detailed when it comes out of the body shop.
- A girl borrows a neighbor's car and returns it filled with gas.
- A high school student slanders a classmate but later apologizes in front of her friends and invites her to sit with her at lunch.
- A next door neighbor borrows the lawn mower and hits a tree root and bends the blade but he pays for the repair and has the oil and spark plug changed to boot.
- In a fit of anger, a hole is punched in the wall - it is fixed and new wallpaper is put up in its place.
Restitution. When it works well it almost seems like the offended party comes out ahead! They actually are better off in the long run than before the incident happened! They get something new or better or nicer. The principle of restitution is so potent that even enemies can be transformed into friends through its power.
In discussing this principle, we must admit that sometimes full restitution is difficult or even impossible. In the case where you have been directly or indirectly responsible for someone's losing their life or being permanently disabled as a result of your mistake, then restitution is not easy. Committing adultery with another person's spouse is another example where restitution is very complex:
"But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself. Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away; for jealousy arouses a husband's fury, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge. He will not accept any compensation; he will refuse the bribe, however great it is" (Proverbs 6:32-35).
In these cases, I recommend doing the best you can under the circumstances and under the guidance of the Lord and godly counselors. Doing nothing is not good; doing what you can is good. You CAN express remorse. You CAN share grief. You CAN demonstrate repentance and ask for forgiveness. If you genuinely repent, God will forgive you even if men will not. But bitter, unforgiving hearts are a job for the Holy Spirit to deal with, not you.
My encouragement to you in this thought is to make the principle of restitution one of the core values of your life. When (not if) you discover you have hurt another person in any way, either intentionally or unintentionally, begin right away to make it right. Don't let the sun go down until you begin making preparation and plans to deal with the matter as best you can. Don't let sleep come to your eyes until you come up with a tentative plan and a workable solution to redeem the situation where it benefits the person you hurt as much as humanly possible.
Remember: In attempting to make restitution, (where applicable) you should ask the offended party: "What can I do to make it up to you?" Then try to meet their demand, and add a little bit extra, just for the trouble.
Offenses will come; they are absolutely inevitable. But as far as it has to do with you, be a man or woman of principle by applying as often as necessary the principle of restitution. People will notice this unusual quality about you and some will begin to imitate you and the gift of restitution will spread. And God will be pleased.
"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."
-- The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Christians in Rome (Romans 12:17-18)
DSR
5/17/04
Monday, May 10, 2004
To This Day
by David Scott Robertson
* * *
"And Samson said, 'With the jawbone of a donkey, I've made heaps on heaps! With the jawbone of a donkey, I've killed a thousand men!'" (Judges 15:16)
"Now Samson was very thirsty, and he cried out to the Lord, 'You have accomplished this great victory by the strength of your servant. Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of these pagan people?'" (Judges 15:18)
"So God caused water to gush out of a hollow in the ground at Lehi, and Samson was revived as he drank. Then he named that place 'The Spring of the One Who Cried Out" [En-hakkore], and it is still in Lehi to this day." (Judges 15:19, emphasis mine).
* * *
Samson, the son of Manoah of the tribe of Dan, was the last of the major judges over Israel about 1100 B.C. (Judges 13:1-16:31). This legendary hero frequently did battle with the Philistines, who at that time had dominion over Israel (Judges 14:4).
I personally believe that Samson was an ordinary looking man, not some muscle-bound bodybuilder type. The source of his great strength, which often was converted into supernatural exploits, came through the "Spirit of the Lord" who would "come upon him" and enable him to perform amazing feats of physical strength (Judges 14:6,19; 15:14; 16:28-29). (Another example of this phenomena in Old Testament times was when the power of the Lord came upon the prophet Elijah and enabled him to outrun the chariots of King Ahab to Jezreel (1 Kings 18:46).
Before his conception, Samson was dedicated to the Lord by his parents to be a lifelong Nazarite. Part of his vow was letting his hair grow long and abstaining from wine and strong drink. Tragically, Samson did not live a consecrated life to the Lord and was careless with the calling of God on his life and his unbridled lust eventually cost him not only his eyesight but also his very life.
These Samson factoids may be conversation starters but they are not my point at all. Here is my point:
In the opening passage that I quoted, Samson had just clubbed to death one thousand Philistine loyalists and at this point was so thirsty that he felt in danger of perishing himself. Here is where I noticed something so captivating to my thinking that I wanted to write about it.
Here we have one man with one need (one time only) praying one prayer to the one true God to provide for that one need that one time and God immediately answers that prayer.
"So God caused water to gush out of a hollow in the ground at Lehi, and Samson was revived as he drank…" (Judges 15:19)
Samson drank, his physical body revived; prayer answered, problem solved. But notice especially the last part of that verse where the life-giving gift of water goes on…
"…Then he named that place 'The Spring of the One Who Cried Out" [En-hakkore], AND IT IS STILL IN LEHI TO THIS DAY" (Judges 15:19, emphasis mine).
Samson is dead and gone but the spring God opened up for him remains to this day. There is no telling how many countless other men and creatures who have been refreshed from drinking from the spring called En-hakkore.
What can we learn from this ancient story of a backslidden judge of Israel that can teach us spiritual truth TO THIS DAY? Here's at least five observations:
1. God answers prayer - Go ahead and call on God in your time of crisis and He will come and save you.
2. God knows your difficult situation - God is an ever-present help in time of trouble. He is not far away when a child of His is in trouble.
3. God is able - God can not only make water gush from a rock, He can, in fact, do anything for anybody at anytime and anywhere He chooses.
4. God thinks long-term - We think answered prayers are disposable, but God recycles. He is thinking about meeting the needs of someone else down the road, perhaps decades or centuries later, and His provision for them may have stemmed from His previous dealings with you. .
5. God keeps His Word - To this day God is keeping His promises to whomever He has cut covenant with. We can trust the Lord to hold up His end of the bargain.
- To this day the rainbow that follows a rain shower proves that a universal flood will never again destroy the earth.
- To this day the waves of seas and oceans obey God's order to travel no further than the shorelines that He set as their boundaries (Proverbs 8:29).
- To this day gravity has not been repealed and the laws of physical science remain intact because God has decreed that it be so.
- To this day God extends His loving mercy toward humankind in the Person of Jesus Christ that we might be reconciled to God and destroy the curse of sin through grace and faith.
May I encourage you to call on the name of the Lord today for whatever issue, situation, or technical difficulty you may be experiencing? God's response to your cry may ultimately provide relief for countless others.
DSR
5/10/04
* * *
"And Samson said, 'With the jawbone of a donkey, I've made heaps on heaps! With the jawbone of a donkey, I've killed a thousand men!'" (Judges 15:16)
"Now Samson was very thirsty, and he cried out to the Lord, 'You have accomplished this great victory by the strength of your servant. Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of these pagan people?'" (Judges 15:18)
"So God caused water to gush out of a hollow in the ground at Lehi, and Samson was revived as he drank. Then he named that place 'The Spring of the One Who Cried Out" [En-hakkore], and it is still in Lehi to this day." (Judges 15:19, emphasis mine).
* * *
Samson, the son of Manoah of the tribe of Dan, was the last of the major judges over Israel about 1100 B.C. (Judges 13:1-16:31). This legendary hero frequently did battle with the Philistines, who at that time had dominion over Israel (Judges 14:4).
I personally believe that Samson was an ordinary looking man, not some muscle-bound bodybuilder type. The source of his great strength, which often was converted into supernatural exploits, came through the "Spirit of the Lord" who would "come upon him" and enable him to perform amazing feats of physical strength (Judges 14:6,19; 15:14; 16:28-29). (Another example of this phenomena in Old Testament times was when the power of the Lord came upon the prophet Elijah and enabled him to outrun the chariots of King Ahab to Jezreel (1 Kings 18:46).
Before his conception, Samson was dedicated to the Lord by his parents to be a lifelong Nazarite. Part of his vow was letting his hair grow long and abstaining from wine and strong drink. Tragically, Samson did not live a consecrated life to the Lord and was careless with the calling of God on his life and his unbridled lust eventually cost him not only his eyesight but also his very life.
These Samson factoids may be conversation starters but they are not my point at all. Here is my point:
In the opening passage that I quoted, Samson had just clubbed to death one thousand Philistine loyalists and at this point was so thirsty that he felt in danger of perishing himself. Here is where I noticed something so captivating to my thinking that I wanted to write about it.
Here we have one man with one need (one time only) praying one prayer to the one true God to provide for that one need that one time and God immediately answers that prayer.
"So God caused water to gush out of a hollow in the ground at Lehi, and Samson was revived as he drank…" (Judges 15:19)
Samson drank, his physical body revived; prayer answered, problem solved. But notice especially the last part of that verse where the life-giving gift of water goes on…
"…Then he named that place 'The Spring of the One Who Cried Out" [En-hakkore], AND IT IS STILL IN LEHI TO THIS DAY" (Judges 15:19, emphasis mine).
Samson is dead and gone but the spring God opened up for him remains to this day. There is no telling how many countless other men and creatures who have been refreshed from drinking from the spring called En-hakkore.
What can we learn from this ancient story of a backslidden judge of Israel that can teach us spiritual truth TO THIS DAY? Here's at least five observations:
1. God answers prayer - Go ahead and call on God in your time of crisis and He will come and save you.
2. God knows your difficult situation - God is an ever-present help in time of trouble. He is not far away when a child of His is in trouble.
3. God is able - God can not only make water gush from a rock, He can, in fact, do anything for anybody at anytime and anywhere He chooses.
4. God thinks long-term - We think answered prayers are disposable, but God recycles. He is thinking about meeting the needs of someone else down the road, perhaps decades or centuries later, and His provision for them may have stemmed from His previous dealings with you. .
5. God keeps His Word - To this day God is keeping His promises to whomever He has cut covenant with. We can trust the Lord to hold up His end of the bargain.
- To this day the rainbow that follows a rain shower proves that a universal flood will never again destroy the earth.
- To this day the waves of seas and oceans obey God's order to travel no further than the shorelines that He set as their boundaries (Proverbs 8:29).
- To this day gravity has not been repealed and the laws of physical science remain intact because God has decreed that it be so.
- To this day God extends His loving mercy toward humankind in the Person of Jesus Christ that we might be reconciled to God and destroy the curse of sin through grace and faith.
May I encourage you to call on the name of the Lord today for whatever issue, situation, or technical difficulty you may be experiencing? God's response to your cry may ultimately provide relief for countless others.
DSR
5/10/04
Monday, May 3, 2004
Daniel: A Real Wise Guy
by David Scott Robertson
"But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel…" (Daniel 1:8-9)
* * *
Attention all politicians and business executives! Anyone desiring to be successful in a political or business career should take note of a man in the Bible named Daniel.
Students pursuing a business administration or political science degree would also do well to include in their curriculum a personal study in "Daniel 101." Why? Because in this Bible figure we find a man whose career spanned the administrations of at least FOUR kings. That's like being appointed to be Vice-President of the United States of America for George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George Bush, Sr., and Ronald Reagan!
But unlike our current politicians, Daniel didn't campaign for office. He didn't seek position, authority, and influence - these things sought him. The Bible describes Daniel's personal and professional life as being "above reproach." He's one of the few characters in the Bible who we don't find any "dirt" on. To be sure he was not perfect but the scriptures omit any personal flaws and emphasizes Daniel's fidelity to his faith in God and practice of Judaism during his exile in a pagan culture.
The cycle of events in Daniel's life usually went something like this:
1. Work and pray hard (3 times each day)
2. The current king has a problem and the existing magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and diviners can't help him - so they call for Daniel.
3. God works supernaturally through Daniel to interpret the dream, solve the enigma, foretell future events, or perform some other miracle in or through Daniel's life.
4. The king exalts Daniel and his God to high places.
For example, here is the end result of God working through Daniel in the presence of some of the most powerful figures in human history in their day and age:
KING Nedbuchadnezzar
"Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him. The king said to Daniel, "Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery." Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men" (Daniel 2:46-48).
King Belshazzar
"This man Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means" (Daniel 5:12).
[Daniel correctly interprets the "writing on the wall"]
"Then at Belshazzar's command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain was placed around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom" (Daniel 5:29).
KING DARIUS, THE MEDE & KING CYRUS, THE PERSIAN
"The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
At the king's command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions' den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land: "May you prosper greatly! "I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. "For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions." So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian" (Daniel 6:23-28).
THE GREAT GOD JEHOVAH
Even Almighty God Himself thought highly enough of Daniel to include him in the line-up of some the all-time Bible greats:
"Or if I send a plague into that land and pour out my wrath upon it through bloodshed, killing its men and their animals, as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, even if Noah, Daniel and Job were in it, they could save neither son nor daughter. They would save only themselves by their righteousness" (Ezekiel 14:19-20).
Now why do you suppose Daniel seems to possess this unusual and incredible ability to garner the favor of God and man? I think the answer is found in our opening verse.
"But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel…" (Daniel 1:8-9)
Daniel adhered to a simple Biblical principle that paid off for him throughout his lifetime: Be faithful in little things and God will put you in charge of bigger things.
Daniel passed the test time after time when confronted with the temptation to defile himself through compromise, deviate from the truth, or sacrifice his belief in the One True God. It started with not defiling himself with the food he ate but that act was only an outward demonstration of an inward transformation that had already taken place in his spiritual life.
Daniel refused to be intimidated by anyone regardless of power or position. As a result, God could trust him with incredible spiritual gifts of interpreting dreams, reading mysterious handwriting on walls, and prophesying in detail the rise and fall of entire civilizations.
Let's break this down to where we live and how it impacts us today. I believe - wholeheartedly - that if you and I purpose in our hearts not to defile ourselves with the "meat" and "delicacies" of this world, then we, like Daniel, position ourselves for favor and a good name with God. And when you are "approved unto God" (1 Th. 2:4), look out world!
Daniel was a real wise guy but not because he was abnormally intelligent, but because he developed a great relationship with God who owns all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3) and is glad to share it with those He can trust (James 1:5).
DSR
5/3/04
"But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel…" (Daniel 1:8-9)
* * *
Attention all politicians and business executives! Anyone desiring to be successful in a political or business career should take note of a man in the Bible named Daniel.
Students pursuing a business administration or political science degree would also do well to include in their curriculum a personal study in "Daniel 101." Why? Because in this Bible figure we find a man whose career spanned the administrations of at least FOUR kings. That's like being appointed to be Vice-President of the United States of America for George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George Bush, Sr., and Ronald Reagan!
But unlike our current politicians, Daniel didn't campaign for office. He didn't seek position, authority, and influence - these things sought him. The Bible describes Daniel's personal and professional life as being "above reproach." He's one of the few characters in the Bible who we don't find any "dirt" on. To be sure he was not perfect but the scriptures omit any personal flaws and emphasizes Daniel's fidelity to his faith in God and practice of Judaism during his exile in a pagan culture.
The cycle of events in Daniel's life usually went something like this:
1. Work and pray hard (3 times each day)
2. The current king has a problem and the existing magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and diviners can't help him - so they call for Daniel.
3. God works supernaturally through Daniel to interpret the dream, solve the enigma, foretell future events, or perform some other miracle in or through Daniel's life.
4. The king exalts Daniel and his God to high places.
For example, here is the end result of God working through Daniel in the presence of some of the most powerful figures in human history in their day and age:
KING Nedbuchadnezzar
"Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him. The king said to Daniel, "Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery." Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men" (Daniel 2:46-48).
King Belshazzar
"This man Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means" (Daniel 5:12).
[Daniel correctly interprets the "writing on the wall"]
"Then at Belshazzar's command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain was placed around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom" (Daniel 5:29).
KING DARIUS, THE MEDE & KING CYRUS, THE PERSIAN
"The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
At the king's command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions' den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land: "May you prosper greatly! "I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. "For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions." So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian" (Daniel 6:23-28).
THE GREAT GOD JEHOVAH
Even Almighty God Himself thought highly enough of Daniel to include him in the line-up of some the all-time Bible greats:
"Or if I send a plague into that land and pour out my wrath upon it through bloodshed, killing its men and their animals, as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, even if Noah, Daniel and Job were in it, they could save neither son nor daughter. They would save only themselves by their righteousness" (Ezekiel 14:19-20).
Now why do you suppose Daniel seems to possess this unusual and incredible ability to garner the favor of God and man? I think the answer is found in our opening verse.
"But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel…" (Daniel 1:8-9)
Daniel adhered to a simple Biblical principle that paid off for him throughout his lifetime: Be faithful in little things and God will put you in charge of bigger things.
Daniel passed the test time after time when confronted with the temptation to defile himself through compromise, deviate from the truth, or sacrifice his belief in the One True God. It started with not defiling himself with the food he ate but that act was only an outward demonstration of an inward transformation that had already taken place in his spiritual life.
Daniel refused to be intimidated by anyone regardless of power or position. As a result, God could trust him with incredible spiritual gifts of interpreting dreams, reading mysterious handwriting on walls, and prophesying in detail the rise and fall of entire civilizations.
Let's break this down to where we live and how it impacts us today. I believe - wholeheartedly - that if you and I purpose in our hearts not to defile ourselves with the "meat" and "delicacies" of this world, then we, like Daniel, position ourselves for favor and a good name with God. And when you are "approved unto God" (1 Th. 2:4), look out world!
Daniel was a real wise guy but not because he was abnormally intelligent, but because he developed a great relationship with God who owns all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3) and is glad to share it with those He can trust (James 1:5).
DSR
5/3/04
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)