DON’T BEND
April 3, 2020
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I need you now more than ever. You are the Lion of Judah. You’re Almighty and all knowing. Help me to be bold. Help me to be courageous. Strengthen me Lord. Please don’t allow me to waver in my faith when I’m faced with pleasing man or standing firm on Your Word. Let me be rooted firmly in righteousness, integrity and love. In Jesus’s name I pray, amen.
Scripture: “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” Daniel 3:25 NKJV
The Word of God clearly tells us how He perceives the world. James 4:4 NKJV explains it well. “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” We cannot be friends of the world. If we do, God will see us as an enemy. I don’t want God to see me as an enemy. We should always want Him to call us His friend. “And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.” (James 2:23 NKJV)
So how can we be God’s friends? Believe in Him. Serve Him and no other. Have faith in him, which pleases Him. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV) We also have to stand firm on His Word, which means no compromising. His Word hasn’t changed. He means what He says. There’s a list of abominations in Proverbs. “These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.” (Proverbs 6:16-19 NKJV)
This isn’t a comprehensive list, but it’s a good place to start. God has standards and He’s not lowering them. As Christian educators, God is upholding us to His standards.
Daniel’s three friends didn’t bend. They stood on their faith even when the heat was turned up, literally. We need to operate on the same level of faith. Whatever God says is wrong is wrong. We shouldn’t bend His Word to fit our situation. It’s wrong to lie and gossip. It’s wrong to spread discord with rumors and cause problems for others. It’s wrong to think evil thoughts about someone who has wronged us.
In conclusion, it should be evident in the way we live and talk that we’re Christians. Let your light shine. Be bold in the things of God even when the heat is intensified.
Copyright Niccori Thomas-Brown. Email [email protected]
If you’ve enjoyed this devotion, Niccori has more topics in her book, Doing All God Has Called You To Do: A Devotion For Novice Teachers. Available for purchase here.