Do you feel lucky? ∙∙

Do you feel lucky? ∙∙

Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. – Deuteronomy 30:15

Deuteronomy 30:15-19

 15 Look! I have set life and prosperity before you on the one hand and death and disaster on the other.

 16 I am commanding you today to love the LORD your God, walk in his ways, and obey his commandments, statutes, and ordinances. Then you will live and become numerous, and the LORD, your God, will bless you in the land which you are about to possess.

 17 However, if you turn aside and do not obey but are lured away to worship and serve other gods,

 18 I declare to you this very day that you will certainly perish! You will not extend your time in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.

 19 Today, I invoke heaven and earth as a witness against you that I have set life and death, blessing and curse, before you. Therefore, choose life so that you and your descendants may live!

Released in 1971, the film “Dirty Harry” achieved critical acclaim and commercial success. In recognition of it being “culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant,” the Library of Congress selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2012. This iconic movie not only left a lasting impact but also pioneered a new genre of police film

Clint Eastwood portrayed the role of Inspector Dirty Harry Callahan, working in the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD). Dirty Harry Callahan foils a bank robbery. Dirty Harry takes action, shooting two robbers and holding the third one at gunpoint. The tense situation reaches its peak when the third robber surrenders, intimidated by Dirty Harry’s memorable ultimatum:

“I know what you’re thinking: ‘Did he fire six shots or only five?’ Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement, I’ve kind of lost track myself. But being this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off; you’ve got to ask yourself one question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’

Well, do you, punk?’”

Every day, we all make choices, ranging from simple ones like the color of our clothes to more significant decisions such as how we spend our spare time, what media we consume, and our food preferences. Each person has the freedom to make their own choices. Some choices are of little consequence. At the same time, others are very momentous and life-changing. Some have eternal consequences. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But not everyone has a right to their own Truth (Lutzer).

Ultimately, from the Father’s perspective, choices are black or white, good or evil, wise or foolish.

REFLECT & PRAY

“We almost always have choices, and the better the choice, the more we will be in control of our lives” (William Glasser).

Father in my lifetime, I have made so many poor choices. Thank You that You are my counselor. Encourage me to make better choices, the right choices, and the best possible choices.

INSIGHT

In the Ancient Near East, during the time of Moses, when treaties were made, and contracts were agreed upon, people would invoke witnesses to their ratification. Often the witnesses were their gods. This practice persists in the modern American justice system, where individuals are asked to “swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God.”

In Deuteronomy, the Father Himself is a partner to the Mosaic Covenant. He cannot invoke anyone higher than Himself as a witness. Consequently, heaven and earth are called as His witnesses.

Pause for a moment and consider that the outcomes we experience are shaped by the choices we make. How do we get what we want when we are discontent and frustrated with what we have? It is crucial to acknowledge that getting what we truly desire requires making better choices.

Proverbs 14:12 There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

The smart move is to gather as much helpful information as possible. We have the revealed truth of the Word of God available to us. We can seek knowledgeable and wise counselors to empower us to make the most informed decisions, leading to the best possible outcomes.

Proverbs 15:22 Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.

Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no guidance, people fall, but in an abundance of counselors, there is safety in having many advisers.

Proverbs 12:15 Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.

In His image, the Father created us, endowing us with minds to think, hearts to feel, and a will to make choices. The Father urges us to make righteous decisions. We are not mere robots; instead, we can hear God’s Word, learn God’s will, and decide to obey or disobey (Wiersbe).

Making decisions, in itself, is not a difficult task, but making the correct choices is an entirely different matter. What are the consequences of our actions?

The Father has presented the most crucial choices in clear and straightforward terms, making them easy to comprehend. Life and goodness lie on one side, while death and evil loom on the other. Who really wants to choose death? Perhaps only the desperate, the despondent, and the depressed might consider such a choice.

Just to be clear, what are the choices? Choosing to love and obey the Father leads to life and goodness while rejecting the Father results in death and evil.

Do you feel lucky?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 6-2-1

© Dr. H 2023

Meddling busybodies

Meddling busybodies

Meddling in someone else’s argument is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears. – Proverbs 26:17

2 Thessalonians 3:11 We hear that some of you live idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business.

Busybodies are unwanted advisors who repeatedly meddle in the affairs of others. Their intrusion is sometimes carried out under the guise of helping. Their meddling is camouflaged as “assistance.” Regrettably, their “help” is uninvited, unwelcome, and unhelpful. Often, busybodies are dissatisfied with the degree of adventure in their own lives and attempt to find fulfillment by getting involved in the lives of others.

Throughout the millennia, people from various cultures have written credos, proverbs, etc., regarding idleness or meddling. The Romans said, “By doing nothing, men learn to do evil.” Isaac Watts wrote: “For Satan finds some mischief still, An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.”

Other aphorisms include:

“Idleness is the thief of time.”

“The goat’s business is none of the sheep’s concern.”

“You know how some people are – they always feel they have to do things for other people’s good, no matter what happens to others in the process!”

“Busy souls have no time to be busybodies.”

“Nothing was more dangerous than people convinced of their own good intentions.”

“God save us from the people who want to do what’s best for us.”

“Those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.”

Recognizing that showing concern or occasional curiosity about others is natural and can indicate empathy and compassion is important. However, if these behaviors become intrusive, repetitive, and unwelcome, they cross the line into meddling.

Respecting others’ privacy and boundaries is vital for fostering healthy relationships and positive social interactions. Private or personal information is often passed on to others, making public and private matters. Consequently, trust is broken, and confidence is betrayed.

REFLECT & PRAY

“The Christian life is not a nonstop parade of miracles and astonishing answers to prayer and extraordinary visions and angelic visitations. Much of it is low-key, tame, and ordinary. Yet a godly life will always be celebrated in heaven” (Stanley).

Father I want to be a faithful and sensible servant busy doing the Kingdom’s work when the Lord Jesus Christ returns (Matthew 24:46). Enable me to focus on doing just that.

INSIGHT

The message of the Second Coming produced an odd and awkward situation in Thessalonica. Many Thessalonians stopped their daily work and gathered in groups, causing unrest by simply waiting, waiting, waiting. Their anticipation for the Second Coming led to disruptions in ordinary life, as they abandoned their livelihoods.

Paul was significantly distraught over the meddlesome individuals at Thessalonica, who were more than simply interfering by “not working” – ergazomenoi. They were “meddling,” that is, working intrusively – periergazomenoi.

A busybody is a person who is inordinately curious and meddles in the affairs of others. These individuals often involve themselves in matters that do not concern them. They show a keen interest in other people’s business or personal lives. They frequently inquire about private matters, offer unsolicited advice, or intrude into situations without being invited or welcomed.

Meddling in other people’s lives and gossiping about them is highly detrimental, causing damage, harm, or discord.

The Greek word translated as work is ergazomai. Ergazomai means to work, labor, or exert oneself. The Greek word translated as busybodies is periergazomai. Periergazomai comes from peri – concerning + ergazomai – to work. It has the sense of working all around, bustling about, or running around in circles.

In Greek, there is a vivid wordplay that is not readily apparent in English. The Thessalonians are not ergazomenous (“working”) but periergazomenous (“being a busybody, meddling”).

The phrase, That work not at all, but are busybodies (mēden ergazomenous alla periergazomenous) can be rendered in various ways:

Who do nothing but meddle in The affairs of others.

Those whose only business is to be a busybody (D. H. Field).

Doing no business but being busybodies (Ellicott).

Not busy at work, but busy-bodies [at play] (GELNT).

Not doing any work, but rather doing useless things (EDNT).

Paul’s words have been paraphrased variously as follows:

Not busy, but busybodies. (TNIV)

They are not busy people but are busybodies.

They are not busy in their business but are over-busy in other people’s business.

Minding everybody’s business but their own.

Everywhere doing everything but doing nothing.


1 Timothy 5:13 They learn to be lazy and will spend their time gossiping from house to house, meddling in other people’s business, and talking about things they shouldn’t.

“There are two unpleasant fruits of this idleness. Those concerned gad about (going about from house to house) . . .. the second result – that they become gossips and busybodies, repeating in one house what they had heard in another . . .. publicizing of a private matter, a betrayal of confidence” (Guthrie).

1 Thessalonians 4:11 Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.

In response to this, Paul offered practical advice. Paul urged the Thessalonians to remain composed and reorder their priorities. Rather than engage in futile and restless waiting, they should focus on a purposeful and constructive approach to daily activities and continue working with their hands.

Paul emphasized that the belief in the return of the Lord Jesus Christ and the end of life as they knew it was not a reason to cease their efforts. On the contrary, it should serve as an inspiration to work even harder and with greater dedication.

“It is always true that ‘the greatest handicap the Church has is the unsatisfactory lives of professing Christians’ and equally true that the greatest argument for Christianity is a genuinely Christian life” (Barclay).

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

© Dr. H 2023

Who cares? ∙∙

Who cares? ∙∙

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. – 1 Peter 5:7

Hebrews 2:16-18

 16 We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham.

 17 Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people.

 18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing; he is able to help us when we are being tested.

“The greatest disease in the West today is not TB or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for” (Mother Teresa).

At some point in life, so many have felt unloved and isolated. The anguish of being unwanted and solitary can become truly overwhelming. Some nights can be unbearable. These are seasons of introspection where we wonder what went wrong. What led us to this point? So often, we discover that the solitary circumstances we find ourselves in result from our own unwise, even foolish decisions.

“The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing . . . not healing, not curing . . . that is a friend who cares. ‘No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’” (Henri Nouwen).

It is common for people to feel all alone during difficult and tragic times. It seems as though the Father is far away. We are left asking, does anyone really care and understand?

While our sense of loneliness and isolation is real and vivid, it is only an illusion for every child of the King. The Father never moves away from us. He is ever-present.

Hebrews 13:5-6

 5 For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

 6 So we can say with confidence, “The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”

If that is the case, why do we often feel differently? Our perception is significantly shaped by our individual histories and the discouragement, detachment, and even betrayal we have endured in the past. Because people have distanced themselves from us, we fear the Father might also distance Himself. Consequently, disappointment sneaks in like a thief, robbing us of joy, peace, and self-assurance.

It is easy and quite natural to doubt our faith. It takes effort, practice, and determination to doubt our doubts and believe our beliefs.

Psalms 62:8-12

 8 O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.

 9 Common people are as worthless as a puff of wind, and the powerful are not what they appear to be. If you weigh them on the scales, together they are lighter than a breath of air.

 10 If your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life.

 11 God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power, O God, belongs to you;

 12 unfailing love, O Lord, is yours.

By immersing ourselves in the word of God, reading it, comprehending its message, internalizing it, meditating on it, and treasuring it within our hearts, we create a whole new mindset and develop a new approach to handling challenging circumstances.

Psalms 119:11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You.

The truth of the word of God is the Father’s ultimate tool which He has provided for the children of the King to cope with the vicissitudes of life. During challenging moments, the memorized and internalized truths become a source of steadfast and self-assured self-talk. David provides a perfect illustration of this. The profound truths David internalized through his relationship with the Father provided the basis for the magnificent self-talk handed down to us in Psalm 23.

The Scriptures contain wonderful precious promises that sustain us through all life events (2 Peter 1:4).

Psalms 27:10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

Psalms 55:22 Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you.

REFLECT & PRAY

The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you. – Deuteronomy 33:27

Father I am grateful for Your loving care and Your desire for me to bring all my worries and concerns to You. Even amidst life’s darkest shadows, Your Word is a perfect light, illuminating my thoughts, prayers, and actions, guiding me along the way. Thank You for being my source of comfort and guidance.

INSIGHT

How do we know the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ care for us? It was their eternal plan that the Lord Jesus Christ would suffer greater than we have! He experienced trials very much like our own. He is acquainted with grief. He was a man of sorrows. The Lord Jesus Christ has successfully navigated the same kind of physical, emotional, and mental difficulties, disappointments, and trials that are part of everyday life. His suffering and testing were far worse than anything we ever face, making Him a compassionate and empathetic companion in our struggles.

Hebrews 2:18 He himself has gone through suffering and testing; he is able to help us when we are being tested.

Hebrews 4:15-16

 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.

 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

“Every soul is as fully known to Jesus as if he were the only one for whom the Savior died. The distress of everyone touches His heart. The cry for aid reaches His ear. He came to draw all men unto Himself. He bids them, ‘Follow Me,’ and His Spirit moves upon their hearts to draw them to come to Him. Many refuse to be drawn. Jesus knows who they are. He also knows those who gladly hear His call and are ready to come under His pastoral care. He says, ‘My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.’ He cares for each one as if there were not another on the face of the earth” (The Desire of Ages).

Farmers Insurance television commercials conclude with the memorable line, “We know a thing or two because we’ve seen a thing or two.” Similarly, the Lord Jesus Christ chose to become fully human, enabling Him to understand every aspect of the struggles people face experientially. This makes Him the ideal, compassionate, and understanding High Priest that ordinary individuals require. His perfect empathy and care make Him uniquely suited to relate to our challenges and offer the support we need. He knows a thing or two because He’s seen a thing or two.

Therefore, the apostle Peter encourages us to share and release our worries and cares to Him. He longs to carry our burdens. He encourages us to take His yoke upon us and let Him teach us (1 Peter 5:7, Matthew 11:29).

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 5-24-1

Who cares? ∙∙

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. – 1 Peter 5:7

Hebrews 2:16-18

 16 We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham.

 17 Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people.

 18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing; he is able to help us when we are being tested.

“The greatest disease in the West today is not TB or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for” (Mother Teresa).

At some point in life, so many have felt unloved and isolated. The anguish of being unwanted and solitary can become truly overwhelming. Some nights can be unbearable. These are seasons of introspection where we wonder what went wrong. What led us to this point? So often, we discover that the solitary circumstances we find ourselves in result from our own unwise, even foolish decisions.

“The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing . . . not healing, not curing . . . that is a friend who cares. ‘No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’” (Henri Nouwen).

It is common for people to feel all alone during difficult and tragic times. It seems as though the Father is far away. We are left asking, does anyone really care and understand?

While our sense of loneliness and isolation is real and vivid, it is only an illusion for every child of the King. The Father never moves away from us. He is ever-present.

Hebrews 13:5-6

 5 For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

 6 So we can say with confidence, “The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”

If that is the case, why do we often feel differently? Our perception is significantly shaped by our individual histories and the discouragement, detachment, and even betrayal we have endured in the past. Because people have distanced themselves from us, we fear the Father might also distance Himself. Consequently, disappointment sneaks in like a thief, robbing us of joy, peace, and self-assurance.

It is easy and quite natural to doubt our faith. It takes effort, practice, and determination to doubt our doubts and believe our beliefs.

Psalms 62:8-12

 8 O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.

 9 Common people are as worthless as a puff of wind, and the powerful are not what they appear to be. If you weigh them on the scales, together they are lighter than a breath of air.

 10 If your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life.

 11 God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power, O God, belongs to you;

 12 unfailing love, O Lord, is yours.

By immersing ourselves in the word of God, reading it, comprehending its message, internalizing it, meditating on it, and treasuring it within our hearts, we create a whole new mindset and develop a new approach to handling challenging circumstances.

Psalms 119:11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You.

The truth of the word of God is the Father’s ultimate tool which He has provided for the children of the King to cope with the vicissitudes of life. During challenging moments, the memorized and internalized truths become a source of steadfast and self-assured self-talk. David provides a perfect illustration of this. The profound truths David internalized through his relationship with the Father provided the basis for the magnificent self-talk handed down to us in Psalm 23.

The Scriptures contain wonderful precious promises that sustain us through all life events (2 Peter 1:4).

Psalms 27:10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

Psalms 55:22 Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you.

REFLECT & PRAY

The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you. – Deuteronomy 33:27

Father I am grateful for Your loving care and Your desire for me to bring all my worries and concerns to You. Even amidst life’s darkest shadows, Your Word is a perfect light, illuminating my thoughts, prayers, and actions, guiding me along the way. Thank You for being my source of comfort and guidance.

INSIGHT

How do we know the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ care for us? It was their eternal plan that the Lord Jesus Christ would suffer greater than we have! He experienced trials very much like our own. He is acquainted with grief. He was a man of sorrows. The Lord Jesus Christ has successfully navigated the same kind of physical, emotional, and mental difficulties, disappointments, and trials that are part of everyday life. His suffering and testing were far worse than anything we ever face, making Him a compassionate and empathetic companion in our struggles.

Hebrews 2:18 He himself has gone through suffering and testing; he is able to help us when we are being tested.

Hebrews 4:15-16

 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.

 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

“Every soul is as fully known to Jesus as if he were the only one for whom the Savior died. The distress of everyone touches His heart. The cry for aid reaches His ear. He came to draw all men unto Himself. He bids them, ‘Follow Me,’ and His Spirit moves upon their hearts to draw them to come to Him. Many refuse to be drawn. Jesus knows who they are. He also knows those who gladly hear His call and are ready to come under His pastoral care. He says, ‘My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.’ He cares for each one as if there were not another on the face of the earth” (The Desire of Ages).

Farmers Insurance television commercials conclude with the memorable line, “We know a thing or two because we’ve seen a thing or two.” Similarly, the Lord Jesus Christ chose to become fully human, enabling Him to understand every aspect of the struggles people face experientially. This makes Him the ideal, compassionate, and understanding High Priest that ordinary individuals require. His perfect empathy and care make Him uniquely suited to relate to our challenges and offer the support we need. He knows a thing or two because He’s seen a thing or two.

Therefore, the apostle Peter encourages us to share and release our worries and cares to Him. He longs to carry our burdens. He encourages us to take His yoke upon us and let Him teach us (1 Peter 5:7, Matthew 11:29).

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 5-24-1

Jail time ∙

Jail time ∙

Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.” – Acts 5:29

Acts 16:22-32

 22 A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods.

 23 They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape.

 24 So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.

 25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.

 26 Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!

 27 The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself.

 28 But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”

 29 The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.

 30 Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.”

 32 And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household.

On June 9, 1963, Fannie Lou Hamer and six other black passengers stopped to eat in a diner at a Greyhound bus terminal in Winona, Mississippi. They sat at the “white only” lunch counter. Winona Police Chief Thomas Herrod ordered the group to go to the “colored” side of the depot. They refused and were arrested and jailed. Each of them was severely beaten, but Fannie’s received the worst. Ms. Hamer never recovered fully.

What happened in Hamer’s heart afterward is perhaps even more remarkable. Although the whipping severely damaged her body, her spirit emerged hardened for righteousness.

Hamer spent the night in silence, but a day later, while still in jail, she started to sing. Known for her resonant and inspiring voice, the same mouth that had been screaming in pain just the night before began sounding the strains of freedom.

          “Paul and Silas was bound in jail, let my people go.

          Had no money for to go their bail, let my people go.

          Paul and Silas began to shout, let my people go.

          Jail doors open and they walked out, let my people go.”

Doing the right thing often results in harmful downsides. When adverse consequences emerge, we always have a choice: complain and gripe or be grateful and rejoice.

REFLECT & PRAY

Courage and cowardice lurk in each of our hearts. We imagine both fleeing from danger and standing firm.

Father I long to have the courage to stand firm for You. It should not take the risk of a severe beating, jail time, or immolation to force me to decide. Encourage me to stand for You right now and keep right on standing!

INSIGHT

Standing for the Father sharing truth, bringing joy to others, and suffering the consequences is not a matter of conscience or ambivalence. Instead, it is a requirement for all children of the King. The only question is will we follow it?

Imagine the scene in Acts 4 and 5 more and more people accept the Lord Jesus Christ as Messiah and Savior. They are drawn by the gospel and the miraculous power wielded by the apostles. The religious leaders are alarmed and confront them.

The apostles were unintimidated and went returned to the streets preaching the Word. The religious authorities are astonished and have them brought before them to threaten them again. The apostles were busted for publicly proclaiming the truth.

“It is a tense moment. They have been duly warned, and now they can be convicted and severely punished. Peter, as always, speaks up for the group. Putting in positive form . . . this bold apostle now declares for all time: We must obey God rather than any human authority!” (Acts 5:29) (Chalmer Ernest Faw).

And so it was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Daniel 3:14-29

 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up?

 15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?”

 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.

 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.

 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

 20 Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.

 23 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames.

 24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?” “Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied.

 25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!”

 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire.

 27 Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!

 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.

 29 Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!”

Acts 16:34 And he [the Philippian jailer] brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household.

The Greek word translated as rejoice is agalliao. Agalliao means to exult, rejoice greatly, or experience ecstatic joy and delight. In the New Testament, it always signifies a deep spiritual joy. “Their hearts were singing” (UBS).

Jude 1:24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 5-21-1

© Dr. H 2023

I want out ∙

I want out ∙

As for me, I will call on God, and the LORD will rescue me. – Psalms 55:16

Psalms 55:4-18

 4 My heart pounds in my chest. The terror of death assaults me.

 5 Fear and trembling overwhelm me, and I can’t stop shaking.

 6 Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest!

 7 I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness.

 8 How quickly I would escape – far from this wild storm of hatred.

 11 Everything is falling apart; threats are rampant in the streets.

 12 It is not an enemy who taunts me – I could bear that. It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me – I could have hidden from them.

 16 But I will call on God, and the LORD will rescue me.

 17 Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the LORD hears my voice.

 18 He ransoms me and keeps me safe from the battle waged against me, though many still oppose me.

At least 60 percent of adults admit to having at least one unreasonable fear. Secular research is not clear on why these fears manifest. One theory is that humans have a genetic predisposition to fear things. Another theory is that it results from previous traumatic experiences (Psychology Today). Fear is emotional foreboding or dread of impending distress or misfortune.

Could it be that fear is one of the consequences, collateral damage, from the Fall? When Adam and Eve realized they were naked, they felt shame and were afraid (Genesis 3:7-10).

At times, our world can be a very scary place, causing fears to surface and leading us to be driven by worry, dread, and heartache. This is especially evident when it comes to fearing the future. Fear can be a mix of rational responses based on factual information and irrational reactions stemming from painful past encounters or exaggerated imaginations. Fear can seriously affect our activity or even immobilize us.

But fear reveals more about us than our circumstances. While it is natural to experience anxiety when danger is present or bad things happen, overcoming fear is possible. It all depends upon what we do with it.

In Psalms 55, it appears that David is heading towards what we might refer to today as a nervous breakdown. The uncertainties surrounding him were becoming too much to bear, and he longed for an escape. David wanted to run away. Correct that David wanted to fly away like a dove and escape (Psalms 55:6-8).

David had developed a lifestyle of faith in the face of overwhelming odds. Rather than giving in to fear, David chose to pursue hope and confidence. Rather than running away from his pain, he chose to face it and ran to the Father. David called upon the Father to rescue him in his circumstances, not from the circumstances (Psalms 55:16).

“When the walls close in and the floor gives way, we often wish we could be anywhere but where God has put us. Trusting God, however, means looking beyond what we can see to what God sees” (Stanley).

REFLECT & PRAY

When future-oriented worry and fear bubble up, we can capture and disarm it. Remember, bubbles eventually burst.

Father it is so easy for me to be fearful. So many difficult and dreadful things have happened. They have left me with a hollow ache that often turns to dread and anxiety. But, Dear Father You are my unique and wonderful liberator from fear. Rescue me.

INSIGHT

The Lord Jesus Christ, through His atoning death, resurrection, and present intercession for us at the right hand of God, has broken the power of fear.

Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

Because we are children of the King, members of the Father’s Forever Family, we have a dynamic and remarkable power residing within us to overcome our anxieties.

Fear doesn’t become ingrained in us overnight. Courage and confidence will not happen suddenly, either. Developing the ability to trust the Father with boldness and unwavering confidence, rather than yielding to our natural fears, is a gradual process. Peter shows us the way. It all starts with humility, paving the way for a deeper connection with the Father and transforming how we handle fear.

1 Peter 5:6-7

 6 Humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time, he will lift you up in honor.

 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Faith or fear, the choice is ours. The Father promises perfect peace to those who trust in Him.

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Psalms 97:11 Light shines on the godly, and joy on those whose hearts are right.

Psalms 56:3 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.

The psalmist does not say, “If something ever scares me,” he says, “whenever I am afraid.” Fear is a natural human reaction to danger. The Father does not tell us to ignore our fears but to bring them to Him (Stanley).

“If people are afraid, it is because of something in the past that haunts them, or something in the present that upsets them, or something in the future that they feel threatens them. Or it may be a combination of all three. A believer in Jesus Christ does not have to fear the past, present, or future, for he has experienced the love of God, and this love is being perfected in him day by day” (Wiersbe).

Like a river glorious is God’s perfect peace,

over all victorious in its bright increase:

perfect, yet still flowing fuller every day;

perfect, yet still growing deeper all the way.

Trusting in the Father, hearts are fully blest,

finding, as he promised, perfect peace and rest.

(Frances Ridley Havergal)

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

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© Dr. H 2023