Eager To Be Free

“He (the king) called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God!  Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?”  Daniel 6:20b

King Darius spent a miserable, sleepless night, wondering if the God of the Hebrews is real and able to deliver.  He’s in this predicament as a result of a stupid, unalterable law he was duped into signing, never dreaming it was a plot against his most trusted adviser, Daniel.

Daniel hadn’t wavered in His worship and service to God, even though it meant being fed to the lions.

And now, at first light, Darius rushes to the lion’s den, breathless to know whether Daniel’s God has indeed rescued him, hoping against hope for a miracle.

God is so ready to prove Himself to anyone who seeks Him.  This miracle, though it blessed Daniel greatly, was really for the benefit of the pagan king.  Darius embraced Daniel’s God, then issued a proclamation of God’s praises throughout his kingdom.

PONDER: How many Dariuses are there in my life who are hoping that what they see in me is proof that God really does exist?  Can I welcome the difficult circumstances of my life as opportunities for God to show Himself?

PRAYER: Lord, give me Your perspective.  Help me trust that everything You allow in my life gives You the chance to prove Yourself, not only to me, but also to  those who are looking for You, hoping You are really real.

Tags: anguish, King Darius, miracle, perspective, plot, predicament, proclamation, servant
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“…Repent, and turn from your sins… Put all your rebellion behind you and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.  …why should you die, O people…?  I don’t want you to die,” says the Sovereign Lord, “Turn back and live!”  Ezekiel 18:30-32

Can you hear the anguish in God’s voice as He begs His people to turn from their sins, and live?  Why do we sometimes get the feeling God loves to punish people, that He’s just waiting for them to mess up so He can crack His divine whip?

God hates sin, yes, but He loves sinners!  To satisfy His wrath against sin, He clothed Himself in flesh, became human.  Though Jesus was a good teacher, a miracle worker, One who came to show us what God is like and how to live, His ultimate purpose was to become the “once-for-all-time” sacrifice for sin, substituted for you and for me, so we might be forgiven.

Now He longs for us turn from our sins, turn back to Him, trust what He’s done for us, and live!

From the beginning, Satan has lied and misrepresented God.  Jesus said he’s a thief who comes to “rob, kill, and destroy“ those God loves.  Will I believe him, or trust God?

PONDER:  How do I picture God?  When I mess up, what do I imagine God feels about me?

PRAYER: Forgive me, Lord, for believing Satan’s lies about You.  Thank you for forever proving Your love for me at Calvary.

Tags: anguish, Ezekiel 18, forgiven, God loves, miracle worker, sinners, trust God
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“Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly?  But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?”  Matthew 26:53,54

Jesus had agonized in the Garden of Gethsemane over what He knew was ahead of Him.  His whole being recoiled at the horror, the torture, scorn and humiliation, the pain, abandonment and death He was about to endure.  Yet knowing that one word from Him would scrap the whole plan — knowing that though He had chosen this path, He could “un-choose” it at any time — made it even more difficult to follow through.

No one took His life.  He laid it down freely. (John 10:18; 19:11) The battle that must have raged within Him, as He anticipated the human agony His choice would require, cannot be marginalized.   Jesus cried out in anguish, “Father, if there is any other way, I don’t want to do this!”

But there was NO OTHER WAY!  (John 14:6) If there had been, Jesus would not have kept going to the cross.  Unfailing love and the knowledge that the only provision for our forgiveness, freedom, and reconciliation with God was through Christ’s becoming the scapegoat for our transgressions, taking upon Himself the punishment we deserve for our sin, kept Jesus moving steadfastly toward Calvary.

PONDER: How can I not trust…and worship…and serve One who endured such suffering on my behalf?

PRAYER: Hallelujah!  What a Savior!

Tags: abandonment, agony, anguish, John 14:6; Garden of Gethsemane, Matthew, Savior, scorn, transgressions
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