Victory in Christ

The saying “Handwriting on the wall” originated from this section of scripture. God does not share His word in a miraculous way today, but He has provided us with His complete instruction manual for this life. “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,” (2 Peter 1:3). “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16‭-‬17)

Today’s reading: Daniel 4-6

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When king Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that no one else could interpret, Daniel was able to tell the king everything about the dream and it’s meaning. Instead of taking credit for this ability, Daniel gave credit where credit was due. “Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said: ‘Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king’s matter.’” (Daniel 2:19-23) If we live our life in service to God doing His will and being a Christian example to others, we will glorify Him like Daniel. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Today’s reading: Daniel 1-3

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The prophet Joel brought the words of God to the people. “The word of the LORD that came to Joel, the son of Pethuel:” (Joel 1:1) Much of what he shared with them were words of warning. But the book ends with God’s love for His people being shown if they will just return to Him. “So you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who dwells in Zion, my holy mountain. And Jerusalem shall be holy, and strangers shall never again pass through it.” (Joel 3:17) It is easy to see the true and living God and His love for us. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalms 46:10) To “be still” here does not mean to just sit around and do nothing. It means to trust in God and cast all of your cares on Him. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7)

Today’s reading: Joel 1-3

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The book of Ezekiel ends with a naming: “… And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The Lord Is There.” Won’t it be great when our home is where the Lord is! “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’” (Revelation 21:3-4)

Today’s reading: Ezekiel 46-48

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God told Ezekiel to relay His words about the temple to the people of Israel for a reason: “Son of man, describe the temple to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and let them measure the pattern.” (Ezekiel 43:10) We also must make sure we are measuring ourselves by the pattern. “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” (James 1:23-25)

Today’s reading: Ezekiel 43-45

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There are many things that we do not understand, but God always knows. “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law (Deuteronomy 29:29)

Today’s reading: Ezekiel 40-42

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Our Heavenly Father wanted the Israelites to know that He was their God. “So the house of Israel shall know that I am the Lord their God from that day forward.” (Ezekiel 39:22) And He has prepared a place for His faithful. “But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” (Hebrews 11:16) That heavenly home is greater than our minds can comprehend. Our Creator will be there, our Savior will be there, and He tells us who else will be there. ““Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭21‬-‭23‬) God’s Word is plain and simple if we will just give it diligent study and allow it to change us. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬‬‬)

Today’s reading: Ezekiel 37-39

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We know how Solomon was given great knowledge and wisdom from God. He shares with us where knowledge starts. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7) If we have the fear he is talking about here we will give God the reverence and honor that He deserves. If we have this kind of attitude toward our Heavenly Father, the love for Him will show in our desire to learn more of His word and serve Him with all of our being. Job shared a similar statement, adding to it understanding. “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” (Job 28:28) In Psalms we have another similar statement with an extra piece of information. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!” (Psalms 111:10) As this verse says, if we love Him and follow His word completely, we will praise Him without end.

Today’s reading: Ezekiel 33-36

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Hate is a strong word, yet we are told there are things that God hates. “There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.” (Proverbs 6:16-19) How can we counteract these things that our Heavenly Father hates? Have lots of fruit in our life. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Gal 5:22-23)

Today’s reading: Ezekiel 31-32

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God gave the assignments of land for each tribe and at the end He gave a name for the city. “The circumference of the city shall be 18,000 cubits. And the name of the city from that time on shall be, ‘The LORD Is There.’” This did not mean they would be able to see Him, but that He would be with them like He was with Joshua. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)  No matter how weak we get, we have a source of strength that never fades. “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalms 73:26) Our Savior also promised to be with us at all times. “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20) No matter what this life may throw at us, we will always have our Savior and Heavenly Father to lean on for strength.

Today’s reading: Ezekiel 28-30

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