job’s principle
July 3, 2009 READ: Philippians 4:10-13 Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity? —Job 2:10 When my wife accepted a position as Director of Special Education in a school district many miles from our home, it resulted in a very long commute each day. It was tolerable in the [...]
determined devotion
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. (Romans 12:2).
READ: Daniel 1:1-8
In 605 BC, King Nebuchadnezzar invaded Jerusalem. He returned to Babylon with the spoils of his victory. The king also brought back Jews of royal and noble descent as hostages to ensure Judah’s continued submission to Babylon (Daniel 1:2-3).
Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the select Jewish youths given a Babylonian education (vv.4-6). This was specialized reprogramming “in the language and literature of Babylon” (v.4). The king wanted them to think, talk, and live like Babylonians.
Their Jewish names honored Yahweh. But the Babylonians did not. So the four were given new identities. A new name denotes a new allegiance (v.7). Daniel (God is my judge), for instance, was changed to Belteshazzar (Bel, chief god of the Babylonians, protects the king) and Azariah (the Lord is my helper) was changed to Abednego (servant of god Nebo). Nebuchadnezzar wanted them to forget and reject Yahweh.
They were given a life of luxury and indulgence—even dining on the king’s choice food (v.5). Nebuchadnezzar wanted them to live sensually for this material world. But Daniel determined not to defile himself (v.8). More than just rejecting foods that had been devoted to Babylonian deities (Exodus 34:15; 1 Corinthians 10:7,18-21), Daniel resolved not to be assimilated into the culture.
We too live in a world that tries to reshape the way we think, speak, live, and worship. It doesn’t want us to remember that we bear the name of Jesus, seducing us to set up altars to the gods of this world.
Are you, like Daniel, determined not to conform? You need to be transformed by changing the way you think of this world (Romans 12:2). In Christ, you are a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 11:16, 13:14) who should leave worldly things behind (John 15:19; James 4:4). —K.T. Sim
What are some areas in your life where you’ve conformed to the world’s values? How will you turn from these empty pursuits?
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Loading ...Book Review: Books by Francine Rivers
Review By Poh Fang, Singapore Do you know who is Francine Rivers? She is one of my favorite Christian fiction authors. Her story is beautiful and full of wisdom, grace, and God’s honest truth. For example: Redeeming Love In this story, Francine Rivers skillfully retells the biblical love story of Gomer and Hosea in a [...]
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