Practical Proverbial, from Daniel, 10 August 2021 Today’s topic: Until Then, Now

Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth: “May you prosper greatly!  “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.  “For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”  Daniel 6:25-27 (NIV).

Imagine the healing that could begin if President Biden issued a decree that said what Darius’ did.   No, this isn’t a political post; I seriously pose the challenge for you to think about it.   Imagine how our country and our world would begin to prosper again if those at the apex of our governing structure gave praise, glory, and reverence to the Lord God Almighty alone.

Maybe some day that’ll happen.   Until then, how about you and me do it in our own lives?   In fact, if we really want to change the world, then that’s really a better change than Biden or any of his cronies could make.  Darius issued his decree for all of his people to follow, and they would do so under the power of his law.   We, however, have only the decree of Jesus Christ to follow in order to govern our lives and live them in ways to glorify God.  

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”   That verse begins Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan: perhaps the most renowned story of neighborly love anywhere.  To keep the spirit of Darius’ decree (and to show our leaders what they ought to be saying), how about you and I do our best to live that out individually?   Right here, right now, wherever we are: let’s follow Jesus’.   Give thanks to God right now for another day to live and serve Him by living His work through our lives.   Doing our best.   Loving those around us, even strangers.   Forgiving generously.  Listening more and more.  Truly sharing and caring.

Instead of letting just our sins affect those around us, how about we let our faith affect us, giving Jesus the glory He deserves through what we say and do?  Imagine if a king or a president could say something like that.  Better yet, imagine if we could live it out today, Biden or not.

For further reading: Deuteronomy 6:5, Joshua 2:11, Esther 8:17, Psalm 5:7, Psalm 99:1-3, Luke 10:27, Revelation 1:18, Daniel 6:28

Lord Jesus, I love You with all my soul, heart, strength, and mind.   Teach me today ways to share Your holy love with others.

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