hballingerLeave a comment

“Grit”

Integrity is not only doing the right thing when no one is looking — but it is doing the right thing when those who oppose you are looking and it will cost you more than you want to pay.

In the Old Testament Bible, Daniel didn’t make a big show of his own integrity, but his integrity was so much a part of his character — that those who hated him and wanted to usurp him knew that his integrity was the only guaranteed way that they could trap him. So they laid their plans in place for their trap, but the lions that they expected to kill him destroyed and devoured them and their families instead.

Lord, that enemy that roams around like a lion looking for someone to devour, may his mouth be shut towards your children who walk in integrity even when the cost is high — and may his mouth be open to devour and destroy those who make schemes, plot against and hate those who stand firm and true.

Many times I have failed you Lord, but I pray that I will never be found laying traps for the innocent and the upright intentionally. I pray that when my ignorance and foolishness has stumbled others that it was through my own negligence and not anything malicious or with evil intent.

But I do not even trust my own heart to have not deceived me in such things, Lord. Because there are those who I believe have wronged me, and treated me unfairly, and accused me strongly — those who my flesh cries out against them for justice, for retribution, for revenge — those who nevertheless, I must hand over to you in hopes that they might repent.

Even a man who wishes for “satisfaction” in this life has no longing for his enemy to face death, hell and eternal separation from God. And if I can wish that the whole of a man’s sin be forgiven to save him from the wrath of God, shouldn’t I also wish that his few wrongs towards me personally be forgiven? How prideful would it be to believe that another man’s sins towards me were worthy of lasting bitterness — but his sins against God were somehow “less” concern to me?

So integrity is also laying down our “rightful claims” against our enemies to pray for their salvation rather than their destruction — choosing to be a witness giving the benefit of doubt to our neighbor, rather than an accuser and and enemy of our brothers and sisters.

So if I cry out for justice, let it be against those powers and principalities working from the shadows against your people, Lord. Let me cry out against those enemies that are not flesh and blood and see those true enemies shackled and defeated — while the once captive children of God are set “free indeed” in Christ Jesus!

So, Lord, help us to walk in integrity — with little thought to reward, cost, or revenge — but trusting that you know better than we do when and how to open and shut the mouths of the lions. Amen.

People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed.
Proverbs 10:9 NLT

Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and rich.
Proverbs 28:6 NLT

13 Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. 15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 17 Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!
1 Peter 3:13‭-‬17 NLT

3 Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel’s great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire. 4 Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy. 5 So they concluded, “Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the rules of his religion.”
Daniel 6:3‭-‬5 NLT

9 So King Darius signed the law. 10 But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. 11 Then the officials went together to Daniel’s house and found him praying and asking for God’s help. 13 Then they told the king, “That man Daniel, one of the captives from Judah, is ignoring you and your law. He still prays to his God three times a day.” 14 Hearing this, the king was deeply troubled, and he tried to think of a way to save Daniel. He spent the rest of the day looking for a way to get Daniel out of this predicament. 15 In the evening the men went together to the king and said, “Your Majesty, you know that according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, no law that the king signs can be changed.” 16 So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.” 17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his own royal seal and the seals of his nobles, so that no one could rescue Daniel. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his usual entertainment and couldn’t sleep at all that night. 19 Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions’ den. 20 When he got there, he called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?” 21 Daniel answered, “Long live the king! 22 My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.” 23 The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God. 24 Then the king gave orders to arrest the men who had maliciously accused Daniel. He had them thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. The lions leaped on them and tore them apart before they even hit the floor of the den. 25 Then King Darius sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world: “Peace and prosperity to you! 26 “I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end. 27 He rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” 28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Daniel 6:9‭-‬11‭, ‬13‭-‬28 NLT

hballingerLeave a comment

That “But Even if He Doesn’t” Kind of Trust

I’m looking at a “peculiar” type of trust today from the books of Daniel and Habakkuk. Imagine a trust that produced a “follow at all costs mentality” in people regardless of whether they got their own way or not.

“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.”
Daniel 3:17-18

I used the word “trust” because it doesn’t have the same religious connotations and undertones as the word “faith” — but in the context of this discussion,  we can use them both interchangeably.

I’m talking about a trust that is not about bartering and trading with some “magical genie in the sky” to do your bidding — but is about seeking to do His bidding “at all costs”.

That seems to be a radically peculiar type of trust from what life teaches us about trust when dealing with other people. To trust a normal man of flesh and blood with your absolute dedication, regardless of how he treated you in return would be both absurd and harmful — because of the abuse that usually occurs when mere men are corrupted by the lure of absolute control/power. So we can understand that absolute, unwavering trust of fallible men is “no bueno”, not good.

But when we are dealing with a holy God (who is not like men,  and who can be trusted fully) — instead of use the simple and common word “trust”, most religious folks interject the word “faith” when dealing with God because it implies a holy type of complete trust where the one being trusted is worthy of that trust. Whether or not the person has enough evidence yet to prove that God is trustworthy or not — He is trustworthy. That is who He is.

Habakkuk shares this same perspective that we can be joyful in the Lord, praise Him and trust Him regardless of our circumstances:

Though the fig tree does not blossom And there is no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive fails And the fields produce no food, Though the flock is cut off from the fold And there are no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the Lord ; I will [choose to] shout in exultation in the [victorious] God of my salvation!
Habakkuk 3:17‭-‬18 AMP

For someone who doesn’t believe in God, everything they know about “trust” is based on what life has taught them about people — evidence/proof. So they say to themselves, “If I can’t trust people that I can see and try to hold accountable, why in the world would I trust in something that I can’t even see or confirm?” They look for evidence and proof first, before they are willing to believe ands have faith. It is a valid, practical logical question for a man of flesh and blood — but that approach works hard against the spirit man. And that is what confounds so many.

Lord, give us spiritual eyes to see and comprehend and discern spiritual things. Help us to have an eternity mindset that is firmly founded upon your worthiness and your unfailing faithfulness. These things are true. Please help us to accept that no single moment’s snapshot of circumstance shown to us by the accuser has to allow confusion or doubt to win. It is easy for us to think of the enemy as accusing us before you each day — but most of the accusations he brings against us are true. But when the accuser brings accusations against you, Lord, when He tries to steal you from us by way of doubt, confusion, and lies — help us to know and stand firm in our faith. You are worthy. Amen.

hballingerLeave a comment

Daniel Prayed

Christian, remember today that Daniel didn’t go grumbling into the lion’s den about how unfair it was that he was being punished for breaking the law by praying. But that he trusted in the Lord through whatever trial he must go, so that the Lord would be glorified. The same was true with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 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. 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.” – Daniel 3:16‭-‬18 NLT


In other words, if we are going to stand bold for God, we must be ready to see it through to the end, without grumblings or doubt, without expecting there should be no trials or troubles – but instead, rejoicing that we might suffer with Christ in this world, just as we are heirs with Christ in eternity.

Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel’s great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire. Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy. So they concluded, “Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the rules of his religion.” So the administrators and high officers went to the king and said, “Long live King Darius! We are all in agreement—we administrators, officials, high officers, advisers, and governors—that the king should make a law that will be strictly enforced. Give orders that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions. And now, Your Majesty, issue and sign this law so it cannot be changed, an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.” So King Darius signed the law. But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. Then the officials went together to Daniel’s house and found him praying and asking for God’s help. So they went straight to the king and reminded him about his law. “Did you not sign a law that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions?” “Yes,” the king replied, “that decision stands; it is an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.” Then they told the king, “That man Daniel, one of the captives from Judah, is ignoring you and your law. He still prays to his God three times a day.” Hearing this, the king was deeply troubled, and he tried to think of a way to save Daniel. He spent the rest of the day looking for a way to get Daniel out of this predicament. In the evening the men went together to the king and said, “Your Majesty, you know that according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, no law that the king signs can be changed.” So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.” A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his own royal seal and the seals of his nobles, so that no one could rescue Daniel. Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his usual entertainment and couldn’t sleep at all that night. Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions’ den. When he got there, he called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?” Daniel answered, “Long live the king! My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.” The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God. Then the king gave orders to arrest the men who had maliciously accused Daniel. He had them thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. The lions leaped on them and tore them apart before they even hit the floor of the den. Then King Darius sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world: “Peace and prosperity to you! “I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end. He rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on 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 6:3‭-‬28 NLT

You see, God ordained and set in place these trials with a plan and a purpose. To make a clear distinction between those who trust Him and know Him and believe Him, versus those who are not and are grumblers who do not believe that He is sovereign and in control and has a purpose in all things. To shine a light brightly in rose who are His that points them right back to Him and His glory. 

So trust Him, fully trust Him in this very hour, call upon His name, the only name by which salvation has come to the world, the name of Jesus Christ. And when you profess with your mouth and confess with your heart that He is Lord — not some particular words, not some particular religious ceremony, those are just meant to be an outward witness to what has happened inwardly, so don’t trust in those things as the source of your salvation! No, trust in God who came in the flesh to die for your sins as the ONLY worthy sacrifice, and as the ONLY Savior powerful enough to overcome death and the grave to rise, just as we will rise, to life – not just rise one day to heaven,  but rise and awaken to new life TODAY, walking in a new way, powered by the very spirit of God that comes to live in His people as He pours out His spirit onHis people, as He lives with us, in us, and through us, so that His will is done on earth as it is in heaven, so that His Kingdom,  a spiritual Kingdom not built by the works of men, but by His grace and mercy in those who will believe and live. Amen.

hballinger2 Comments

Grace isn’t Cheap

Today’s Manna – Our Daily Bread
http://bible.com/116/dan.11.35.nlt

And some of the wise will fall victim to persecution. In this way, they will be refined and cleansed and made pure until the time of the end, for the appointed time is still to come.

image

Life Application Devotional
God’s messenger described a time of trial when even wise believers may stumble. This could mean (1) falling into sin, (2) being fearful and losing faith, (3) mistakenly following wrong teaching, or (4) experiencing severe suffering and martyrdom. If we persevere in our faith, any such experience will only refine us and make us stronger. Are you facing trials? Recognize them as opportunities to strengthen your faith. If we remain steadfast in these experiences, we will be stronger in our faith and closer to God.

PERSONAL COMMENTARY
We will face trials and tests and sufferings and persecution in our walk of faith. This is why we equip ourselves daily with the Word of God. This is why we eat the Bread of Life and drink from the Living Waters. This is why we put on the full armor of God.

Continue reading “Grace isn’t Cheap” →

hballingerLeave a comment

Hungry Lions

image

We find such a beautiful reflection of the law and of faith in Daniel 6.

http://bible.com/116/dan.6.20-23.nlt
When he got there, he called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?” Daniel answered, “Long live the king! My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.” The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God.

Continue reading “Hungry Lions” →