We hear that so many times in the movies! (I was about to say at the movies. But, we are in the times of covid. – so much to share on that. But we at this time are discussing faith.
Right quick; thrown in the lions den? What kind of faith would literally have Daniel telling the story – “I prayed ALL night.” At Dawn the king who was made to pass the edict that condemned Daniel to the lions den rushed after a sleepless night to the lions den.
“…Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.
And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?
Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.
My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
Then was the king exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%206&version=KJV
In the same period, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who were appointed to the kings Court had many testimonies to the glory of God the three Hebrew men are thrown into a fiery furnace by Nebuchadnezzar II, King of Babylon for refusing to bow to the king’s image. Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. It goes on: Daniel persuaded him to let himself, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego try a diet of only vegetables and water for 10 days to see if they appeared any less healthy. The chief chamberlain agreed, and at the end of the 10 days, the four servants looked even healthier than the other men.
We will venture through The Word of God… God changes NOT!
Histories of the Christian movement record it. The second persecution of Christians under Domitian, AD 81 lists, “Among the numerous martyrs that suffered during this persecution was Simeon, bishop of Jerusalem, who was crucified; and St. John, who was boiled in oil and afterward banished to Patmos. Flavia, the daughter of a Roman senator, was likewise banished to Pontus; and a law was made, ‘That no Christian, once brought before the tribunal, should be exempted from punishment with renouncing his religion.'”
The first persecution under Nero took place about AD 67. St. Paul and St. Peter were in this group. https://www.biblewise.com/bible_study/questions/boiled-in-oil.php
Have you ever lost your faith in everything? Have you ever just felt like nothing you want happens, so why even bother believing that it will happen? Have you ever felt like you just threw in the towels and prepared for the next blow because life seemed to keep knocking you down?
See in life we get so caught up in what we DON’T have and what we WANT to do, that we take for granted all the beauties life has to offer. As life passed me by, an epiphany occurred.
My faith meter has been very low. Nothing seemed too exciting, but everything seemed to annoy me. However, as each day went by and I spoke about what I could not do and what would not happen, and little by little what seemed impossible became possible.
So what is the point? Well, this week’s message is that as we approach the holiday season do not forget to wake up and smell the coffee. Meaning that be grateful for what you do have and believe that better is coming. Although what I am about to say is cliche, it’s so true.
“Things could be so much worse for you than they are now.”
I dare you to have the faith of a mustard seed. A bit of belief plus action creates unimaginable outcomes. When you give good things in life a try, you would be surprised what can come out of it. All you have to do is believe sometimes.
Through all the chaos and craziness going on in the world, there are still some good compassionate and caring people. Despite what seems like all the negativity that the media glorifies, when I took a step back and just observed people, I was in awe.
All is not lost.
Sometimes in life, we let the bad things that occur get the best of us. But guess what, life is what you make it. I dare you to get rid of the “woe is me” mindset and just have faith that better is coming. Then take the steps necessary to get you to where you want to be.
Will it be easy? HECK NO! However, doubting the process and having a pessimistic view will lead you further behind rather than propel you forward. The only way you lose is if you give up.