Thursday, June 16, 2011

June 16, 2011 … Integrity Trusts God Unconditionally

Passage of the Day: Daniel 3: 16 – 18 … 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

My Journal for Today: My wife’s favorite live verse is Proverbs 3: 5 – 6 (see below; but you probably have this one memorized; and if you haven’t, I do hope you’ll dedicate yourself to do the memory work on this important passage!) …

SCRIPTURE? Proverbs 3: 5 – 6 ... Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Since we, who claim Christ as Lord and Savior believe that this is God’s truth, it is fair, but most certainly difficult, to ask, … “Do we follow Prov. 3: 5 -6 completely and unconditionally?” In other words, “Do we really trust God – all the way!?”

In today’s passage we see that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, though very young men, were “Proverbs 3: 5 – 6” believers. The depth of their integrity of faith to God was mature … far beyond their years. Their faith was tested, literally by fire, and they trusted God with their very lives. Collectively they are a picture of the ultimate model of Godly integrity, Jesus, Who when His life was on the line, knowing He would be on a cross the next day, said, “Father, … not as I will, but as Thou wilt.”

When someone comes to true faith in Christ, that one will not be like the ones Jesus spoke of in Matt. 13: 20 – 21, who have “head belief,” proclaiming to be Christian, but then, with no “heart belief,” fall away when tested. If we call ourselves “Christian,” we must live it out, knowing the cost of discipleship (see Luke 9: 23 and John 15: 20); and that means to deny ourselves, no matter where it might lead – yes, even if it might lead to a fiery furnace.

So, again we inventory the heart for the integrity we seek as believers of the same God Who saved the four young boys we have read about these past few days. And do we really live our belief in Prov. 3: 5 – 6?

My Prayer Today: O Lord, if tested, may I be there in the furnace with You; … yes, even today! Amen

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