NOTHING, absolutely nothing, is out of God’s control.
We are safe and protected from evil by the very Spirit of God. Faith alone in His power pleases God.
Life is made up of choices
We choose the path that we want to follow. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of our God of justice. There are consequences to sin. Our lives given to God in the sacrifice of the Cross leads us to life and an abundance of peace.
Hebrews 11:24
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command. 24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned. The New King James Version
By Faith They Overcame!
The Egyptians knew a rich way of living life. Moses chose the way of his fathers. He had respect for the eternal God. By faith Moses kept the Passover, by the sprinkling of blood on the lintels and saving the children of Israel from death. By faith he left Egypt and led his people as they they passed through the Red Sea.
We need to do what God says to do… not man.
Acts 7:23
35 “This Moses whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’ is the one God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 He brought them out, after he had shown wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years. The New King James Version
Moses supposed that they would understand that he would lead them to the promised land. They did not. In God’s timing he would accomplish all that God created him to do in God’s power not in his own.
I’m grateful for Marcus Borg’s affirmation, “Given all of life’s ambiguities and the reality of impermanence and suffering, our existence is remarkable, wondrous. It evokes awe and amazement. We need to pay attention. Really pay attention. Lest we become blind to the awe and wonder that fills our days.” Sabbath Moments
When we gossip or curse others in anger or vengeance, Proverbs 20:19-20 states clear consequences for our relationships: We could push away potential friends or even bring judgment on ourselves. In contrast, Proverbs 20:22 encourages us to wait for the Lord, knowing He will deliver us.
Although we cannot draw one breath without God's help, although we cannot control the actions of others, although we can't foresee many future events … we need not fear. When we cannot understand our own way, we can walk by faith, trusting our God, the Maker of heaven and earth (Colossians 1:16).
By His Spirit, we can walk in dependence on our Redeemer, knowing God chose us to be "holy and blameless" in Christ before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). We can daily commit our way into the hands of the One who is working all things according to His will (Ephesians 1:11).
When we cannot understand our own way, let's trust in the "only wise God" (Romans 16:27).
Daniel 8:23–25
23 “And in the latter time of their kingdom, When the transgressors have reached their fullness, A king shall arise, Having fierce features, Who understands sinister schemes. 24 His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; He shall destroy fearfully, And shall prosper and thrive; He shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people. 25 “Through his cunning He shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; And he shall exalt himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity. He shall even rise against the Prince of princes; But he shall be broken without human means. The New King James Version
Skilled in riddles implies wisdom in the ancient Near East. Antiochus displays a worldly wisdom, making him skilled in intrigue. This designation emphasizes his duplicity. Antiochus will have delusions of grandeur.
In 1 Maccabees 1:29–30, Antiochus sends a large force to Jerusalem and destroys many. His judgment will come from God. Faithlife Study Bible
When the transgressors have reached their fullness means when the sinful actions of the Jews have reached the point where God cannot permit them to go any further without bringing punishment.
A king refers to Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the king of Syria who made his capital at Antioch. Not by his own power indicates that Antiochus would be energized by Satan, as will the Antichrist. Without human means: Antiochus died without human intervention. According to the apocryphal Book of 2 Maccabees, Antiochus died of a painful disease. The NKJV Study Bible
As long as we live in this world we must have something to do in it; and even those whom God has most honoured, must not think themselves above their business. Nor must the pleasure of communion with God take us from the duties of our callings, but we must in them abide with God. All who are intrusted with public business must discharge their trust uprightly; and, amidst all doubts and discouragements, they may, if true believers, look forward to a happy issue. Thus should we endeavour to compose our minds for attending to the duties to which each is appointed, in the church and in the world. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Daniel 11:36 “Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done.
Daniel 8:10–13 And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them. He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down…
Daniel 12:7 Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.
Job 34:20
In a moment they die, in the middle of the night;
The people are shaken and pass away;
The mighty are taken away without a hand.
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