(Written in 2009 for an online Christian publication; seemed fitting to repost today)
Those who walk in pride God is sure to humble.
A people divided will surely fall, and those who turn their backs on the truth of the Word of God shall not only perish in Eternity, but shall see the judgment of God unfold on the Earth as well.
The Spirit of God has prompted me to three scriptures. The first Chapter I have reread numerous times before I began writing this because I was unwilling to sacrifice my time to do one of the things I know God has placed within me to do. That is to break down the Word when He prompts me and share what it is He places in my heart to share. We all struggle with different things and one of my struggles is giving up "my time" to do the work of the ministry. Like it’s really "my time" to begin with right?
The Bible tells us in II Timothy 4:2-5 "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."
So, I have come to the realization and awakening that it’s not about how I feel, but how what He may say through me, that may cause someone else to respond.
Bottom line; Conviction over Convenience.
Isn’t it funny how in Daniel chapter four Nebuchadnezzar surrounded himself with haughty individuals who had no fear of consequences? The King himself held these people in high esteem thinking they were full of wisdom and the ability and knowledge to see the outcome of present decisions and what the kingdom was going to look like in the future.
Unfortunately the King realized he was horribly wrong when the Lord gave him a vision while he was sleeping and he called in all the people who he felt wise to interpret the dream for him. None had the ability to tell the King what it meant. Daniel got word that the King wanted to kill all the men who could not answer and volunteered him self to tell the King what the vision meant and to be honest to the King. However, the King did not approve of what Daniel spoke and did not take heed to the words of wisdom spoken and soon found out how horrible that mistake was.
Daniel spoke to the King in 4:22 and said of the Lord "He reavealeth the deep and secret things; He knoweth what is in the darkness and the light dwelleth with Him."
Daniel spoke to the King in 4:22 and said of the Lord "He reavealeth the deep and secret things; He knoweth what is in the darkness and the light dwelleth with Him."
You see, God knows what needs to be accomplished and spoken, both to carry out His will and to spread His light through our Earthen vessels into the dark places of those who are without the love and understanding and fear of God. It’s up to us to be sensitive enough like Daniel to be led by the spirit of God to speak words of wisdom to those lacking the knowledge or will of Christ today. II Corinthians 4:1-7
"Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."
Next we see in Hosea, who was a willing vessel about the Lords business, instructed by God to marry a whore. I always wondered why God instructed Hosea to do such a thing. The reason God did this was to later serve as an example as to Christ being crucified. Jesus loved us even when we mocked Him, and threw stones. Even when we did not love Him, He hung on the cross. Even when we were meddling in the lustful sins of the flesh, He crucified His own flesh, so we could one day be His spotless bride. Hosea sacrificed his own desires to do the will of the Father. Sometimes God will prompt us to do things out of our comfort zone in order to accomplish His will. However keep in mind that He would never lead you to do anything against His Word.
Lately I have been reading a book called "Saving America from the Media Elite". It is more a journalistic viewpoint than a Christian perspective, but it is fascinating how journalism has faded into a distant land somewhere that no longer exists in America. Instead it has turned into a left wing/ right wing battle of the opinions except for a few journalists who actually bring real honest to goodness news into our homes each night.
As I began to study the scriptures God laid on my heart what I found most interesting is how He showed me that America has now officially become the "New Nebuchadnezzar". You see King Nebuchadnezzar was a King over the Nations of Babylon. He surrounded himself with people who told him what he wanted to hear, instead of being truthful and honest and wise to speak. He mocked those who spoke the truth in wisdom and he credited himself for the greatness of the Nation he was over when he once long ago credited the Almighty God. A spitting image of the United States today.
In Daniel 4:30 the King says to the universe,"The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?" Before Nebuchadnezzar could grasp what he had just done, a voice from the Heavens spoke back to him, "O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee."
In an instant God removed the King from all likes of man and he was driven into the wilderness. God wanted to wake him up and bring him to the reality that God rules the Kingdom of men, man rules over nothing but his own integrity and values. God woke the King up and when he came to his senses in Daniel 4:34-37 he once again restored his faith in the Almighty and reverenced him with honor and dignity and was restored over the Kingdom. One thing the King says is something I feel God is getting ready to show America. Those who walk in their own pride God is able to abase.
The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter; Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."
God is getting ready to bring to light some things in America and whether people want to accept that or not is up to them. He doesn’t force us to love Him; He gives us the choice. Love yourselves, or love Him. If we love Him, we love America because His whole purpose for creation was for us to be free. Liberty and Justice for all are not about what we can and cannot do. It’s about the truth of Grace and correcting mistakes and being honest and carrying a torch of integrity both as a people and as a Nation. The only way we can hold that torch high is to follow the commandments of God. Once that fire of faith blows out, the light will fade and America will be taken into the wilderness as Nebuchadnezzar.
In the end those who come to their senses will look up with honor and integrity and the respect that God Almighty is due. But for others will it be too late? Don’t sit idly by and watch as people blindly walk into the wilderness, step out on faith and create a sensitive place within yourself to share the truth with those who will listen. God will direct your speech and as long as you are being honest and humble someone will be touched.
Matthew 16:25
"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."John 12:25
"He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal."
What will be America's Next Move?
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