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But Even If God Does Not Fix This
Dear Church Family,
One of the main lessons in the book of Daniel is that following Christ does not mean things will go well for us in this life. Daniel and his friends are faithful: they consistently obey God. But God does not fix all the difficulties and hardships that they face. In fact, their obedience makes their lives harder.
Yes, the book of Daniel shows us that God answers prayer and does amazing things through his weak and powerless people. In chapter 3, we come to one of the best known stories in the book of Daniel – the Fiery Furnace. This is a story of God answering prayer in a miraculous way. It’s a story that encourages us to live boldly for Christ in a time and place where that is rare, not welcomed, and risky. But as I’ve read and reflected on this event, there are three words in Daniel’s friends prayers that have stuck out to me regarding what it means to be faithful following Christ in our exile:Read More
Where Is Your Hope?
Dear Church Family
This Sunday, and next week in our Daily Worship Devotions, with the Presidential election looming large, we consider a timely question: “Where is Your Hope?” In the end of the second chapter of Daniel, God shows us that, even if our present circumstances suggest otherwise, his Kingdom prevails and will endure. Like Nebuchadnezzar, this forces the question: “Where is Your Hope?” Biblically, hope isn’t just an idea or sentiment. Whatever we hope in – that’s what we worship, follow, and sacrifice for. The thing we hope in is the thing we trust and live for.
So, take some time to read the Daniel 2:24-49. As you do, especially consider and reflect on the following:
- Nebuchadnezzar’s response in verses 46-48. What is missing?
- If the Bible is true, what should we hope in – live for, trust in, and sacrifice for?
- Compared to the “important” things of this world, how might the apparent insignificance and irrelevance of the God’s Kingdom and his Church lead me to hope and invest more in the things of this world than the things of God?
In Christ,
Pastor Ewan
Living Faithfully
Dear Church Family,
In the uber-famous musical Hamilton, King George sings “Oceans rise, empires fall,” and during this political season it seems every candidate would have us believe that this will be the fate of our country if he or she is not elected. And it seems that during this time of COVID-19, forest fires, and social unrest, the political rhetoric has ramped up even more—how exhausting!
How shall we as Christians live during this time of hostility?…
Luckily, the Bible is no stranger to hostile times. Throughout its pages, God’s people face hostilities and adversity and, as Paul reminds us, these things were written down for our instruction (1 Corinthians 10:11). Our text this Sunday finds Daniel in a precarious situation, and from his example, we learn how to live during hostile times.Read More
