A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Friday,
March 27,
2020
(Photo taken
by my cousin Georgia)
"What
Will The Outcome
Be?"
Message summary: One day we will shed these feeble bodies that are prone to sickness, weariness, aging and disease and we will rise in our glorified, immortal bodies to receive our fully allotted inheritance! What a day, glorious day that will be! "I
heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, ‘My
lord, what will the outcome of all this be?’ He
replied, 'Go your way, Daniel, because the words
are closed up and sealed until the time of the
end'" (Daniel 12:8,9). "As for you, go your way
till the end. You will rest, and then at the end
of the days you will rise to receive your
allotted inheritance" (Daniel 12:13).
There’s
a peace I’ve come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail There’s an anchor for my soul I can say, it is well So many of our lives have been disrupted these last several weeks due to a tiny unseen virus. One news source describes the coronavirus like this: "A single, tiny unseen enemy, more powerful than all the armies in the world." When living through uncertainty we especially want to know how it will all work out. Do you suppose we are the first generation to ever go through something like this? Our parents grew up during the Great Depression followed by World War 2 when they were in their early twenties. That was certainly a hard time full of uncertainties. Only
two years before Stephen's parents were born
during our grandparents time the Spanish flu
epidemic ravaged our world from January 1918 to
December 1920, it infected 500 million
people—about a quarter of the world's population
at the time. The death toll is estimated to have
been anywhere from 17 million to 50 million, and
possibly as high as 100 million, making it one of
the deadliest epidemics in human history.
(Wikipedia)
Daniel served the Lord about 2,600 years ago. He
was one of the exiled hostages taken from Judah to
Babylon to serve in Nebuchadnezzar’s government.
Daniel provides a Biblical model of one who was
confronted with the temptation to compromise every
bit as much as we are, but he remained firm and
faithful to God.
Early in his life he made a commitment when he first went to Babylon. If you don’t already know this passage I recommend that you memorize it (at least the first underlined part of the verse). "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank" (Daniel 1:8). Notice that he made the purpose "in his heart"; it wasn’t just a passing thought. Daniel must have deeply contemplated his dilemma, considered the possible consequences, and firmly committed to his decision through fervent prayer. He demonstrates for all of us the great Biblical principle of separation. I urge you to continually learn God’s ways and, like Daniel, make a purpose or resolve in your heart to live according to His commands. Over his long career of civil service Daniel distinguished himself while maintaining his faith and steadfast obedience to God. The first half of his book is an interesting narrative with such familiar stories as his three friends being cast into the fiery furnace and his own deliverance from the lion’s den. But the last six chapters have some of the most outstanding prophecy in the Bible. God reveals to Daniel events that would transpire over the next several thousand years and even beyond our own time. At the conclusion Daniel expresses himself in a way in which many of us can identify, particularly when it comes to some of the more difficult prophetic portions of God’s Word. "I heard, but I did not understand." I’ve sure been there. I’ve read a Scripture portion and wondered, "What does this mean and when will it happen?" And I also wonder this in regard to events in life like the coronavirus pandemic. I’ve also experienced Daniel’s heartfelt appeal expressed in the question, "My lord*, what will the outcome of all this be?" Surely you have asked the same question. Many are asking that now. He wanted to know what God was going to do just like we do. But like us he didn’t get the answer in every detail he wanted. Some things just won’t be revealed "until the time of the end". And that’s true not only with prophecy, but in God’s personal dealings in our lives. Although we know that things will work out according to Romans 8:28, we so much want to know how and when. The answers to most of these questions are simply not provided. So why do we expend so much energy or allow ourselves to become anxiety ridden about those things which we can do nothing about. Yet we so often do! We need to keep moving forward in the direction we feel God is leading and trust Him to provide the answers along the way. The apostle Paul, facing a time of great uncertainty said to the Ephesian elders, "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me" (Acts 20:22,23). Such is the life of faith! My friend, keep trusting today. The book of Daniel ends with this statement. "As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance" (Daniel 12:13). Let us also receive this word today in our own lives. One day we will shed these feeble bodies that are prone to sickness, weariness, aging and disease and we will rise in our glorified, immortal bodies to receive our fully allotted inheritance! What a day, glorious day that will be!
There’s a day that’s drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light And the shadows disappear And my faith shall be my eyes And I will rise when He calls my name No more sorrow, no more pain I will rise on eagles’ wings Before my God fall on my knees And rise, I will rise Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, we don’t always know where our present steps will take us on life’s journey, but we do know they lead us to heaven as we walk with You. Our steps here may lead to steep mountains or deep valleys. Crooked paths and rough terrain may be part of the journey, but ultimately we will rest where the steps of Jesus end at heaven’s throne. There we will no longer have questions about our future, for we know that we will spend eternity forever worshiping You giving You glory, honor, praise, and thanksgiving. Grant us peace and joy for our journey here below, amidst the sickness and suffering, as we anticipate our future eternal inheritance. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen. * "Lord" is in the small case in this particular Scripture reference because this message to Daniel came from an angel not deity. Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"I
Will Rise" Video Chris Tomlin
Finally
today:
Many
churches and pastors are sharing in creative ways such
as Pastor John and his wife Faithe who prepared a
brief video
service from their home.
Elnora
Dresselhaus is sharing comforting hymns from her home
piano. She is playing "Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus"
in this video.
We met Elnora and her husband Richard years ago during
a trip to San Diego and have maintained a "long
distance" friendship. Pastor Richard Dresselhaus has a
daily blog titled "One For The Road" with a brief
edifying message that encourages and instructs
believers.
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version. Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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