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Wednesday, April 25, 2007

"See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves is heard in our land."
(Song of Solomon 2:12)

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"Light Dwells With Him"

"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him" (Daniel 2:20-22).

This morning I had the opportunity to share for a few minutes with a young man and share perspective on life based on the bigger picture. That's why the instruction from God's Word is vital in every area of our lives!

The daily Scripture portion is a powerful proclamation of the providence of God. Here's an historic definition, "God's works of providence are His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all His creatures and all their actions."

King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and God revealed to Daniel both the dream and its interpretation; a panoramic sweep through hundreds of years into the future and the rise and fall of various kingdoms. We look back now and see how this has marvelously been fulfilled.

"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever." Before Daniel revealed the dream to the king he offers praise to God. He "blessed the God of heaven" (v. 19).

"Wisdom and power are His." This timeless truth is so instructive and encouraging in light of the many issues of uncertainty each of us face, those things which causes anxiety and fear. Some we commonly deal with such as world turmoil, others are personal and unique to us. It may be a health need, a job situation, a family matter or many other issues that trouble your spirit.

"He changes times and seasons." Once again as we are in the midst of springtime we see the hand of God in the changing of the seasons as He ordained at creation. Following the great flood God made a covenant with Noah and seasonal changes have been an evidence of God's faithfulness ever since.

"He sets up kings and deposes them." History sure validates this. Some 2,600 years have passed since Daniel made this statement and history abundantly demonstrates that many kings and many kingdoms have come and gone. We live out our lives in a tiny window in the scope of God's providential dealings. Our perspective is so skewed if we don't constantly seek the bigger landscape of God's dealings with humankind.

"He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things." We must look to God as we direct our focus toward Him. A great need for the earnest follower of Christ in this information age is godly discernment. We need revelation from God's Word concerning the deep and hidden things. These are so often revealed in the midst of hardship and suffering.

"He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him." This last phrase really, really blesses me as I prepare this message. As I fix my attention on it my heart is filled with renewed assurance and peace! Praise God!

I'm a child of the King,
I'm a child of the King,
With Jesus my Savior,
I'm a child of the King!

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, Your vast wisdom and Your incalculable power reveal Your glory and majesty day by day. You are the bright light that comes bursting in when darkness overtakes the godly. All foes are rendered powerless in Your presence. Thank You for the marvelous standing I have as a child of the King.

I want to suggest two books that I have found helpful in regard to today's subject. Here are links for more information or to purchase them online from CBD.

Trusting God By Jerry Bridges / Nav Press
Do you find it easy to trust God---until adversity strikes? When life clouds over, do you suddenly begin to suspect that you only imagined His care for you? Bridges uncovers three essential truths about God: He is completely sovereign; He is infinite in wisdom; and He is perfect in love. Building on these three rocks, Bridges shows how we can learn to trust God, even when we don't understand what He is doing. 215 pages, softcover from NavPress.

Stephen's note: In my 35 years as a Christian I would rate this as among the most influential books I have ever read concerning my personal walk with the Lord. I met Jerry Bridges at a Pastor's training conference many years ago at Gordon-Conwell.

The Invisible Hand: Do All Things Really Work for Good? By R.C. Sproul / P & R Publishing
In a world steeped in anguish and evil, how can God be in control? Do all things really work for good? With head-on honesty and biblical insight, Sproul examines the difficult doctrine of divine providence. Discover how your Lord lovingly guides the events of your life without creating human wickedness or destroying human freedom. 224 pages, softcover from P & R.

Today's suggested music (audio files):

"Consider it Joy (Though trials may come)" from Graham Kendrick's website.

"Lord You've Been Good To Me" from Graham Kendrick's website.

"I'm A Child Of The King!" (This is from a local church in Elkton, Maryland.)

"There Is A Hope So Sure" from Graham Kendrick's website.

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