Daniel

Daniel

          Evan’s sermon on Daniel brought out so many new thoughts that I couldn’t get it all in the picture. Daniel, his friends Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego practiced self-control, because they knew God was in control. They refused food the King offered because God wanted everyone to know it was God that kept them strong. The three friends refused to bow to anyone but the one true God, because they trusted that God was in charge. Even if they died, they would not bow to an idol.

          When Daniel realized praying to his God would mean a trip to the loin's den he did not give in to fear. He knew God was in control of his life, and death. I know there are some that say the phrase “God is in control” is a cliché Christians shouldn't banter around. Well, honestly, when I go through the hardest of trials I want to know there’s a reason. That God does work it out for the good. That He is in control. Adonai, the God who is in control.

          Evan, also, included a great quote from Eugene Peterson. He tells us it is not all a simple flip of a believing switch.  Is it hard to trust? Yes! It takes practice, sweat, tears, and struggle, but walking in God’s control grows our own self control over fear, anger, doubt, and procrastination. (That last one is my worst.)

Here is the quote from Eugene Peterson. “There is far more to the Christian life than getting it right. There is living it right. Learning the truth of God, the gospel, the Scriptures involves understanding words, concepts, history. But living it means working and praying ourselves through a world of deception, of doubt and suffering, a world of rejections and betrayal and idolatry.”