Living for God in a Godless Society Part 1Sample

CHOOSING GOD'S TRUTH

Daniel must have known the evil reputation of the Babylonians. And he knew what would be forced into his psyche during his three-year indoctrination program in the arts of the occult. But Daniel and his friends were prepared by God’s truth. They knew God’s character. They knew He was sovereign over every detail. In the second verse of Daniel chapter 1, we read, “And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into [Nebuchadnezzar’s] hand.” God is in control of even this exile and servitude. In 1:17, God gave these four youths “learning and skill in all literature and wisdom.” They could hold onto God’s truth and still be considered excellent scholars in an evil culture.

We, too, can live with spiritual resolve like Daniel and his friends. 2 Peter 1:20-21 reminds us that God is sovereign over His Word. We are confident that His Word is true because we believe He is Lord. In Psalm 119, the psalmist tells us that God’s Word keeps us from sin. When the lies of our culture spin around us, the Word of God is always certain, always true. The darker the world becomes, the more we need to immerse ourselves in the light and truth of God’s Word so that it is the benchmark for both our beliefs (orthodoxy) and our behavior (orthopraxy).

Ask Yourself:

-How much time do I spend reading and studying God’s word?

-If my Bible was taken away and I had to depend only on memory, how much would I remember?

-Take a moment to write down all the attributes and names of God that you can think of. Praise God that He has put these truths in your heart!

Pause to Pray: God, I confess that so many things distract me from reading my Bible. I want to seek you with my whole heart! I want to delight in reading your Word! And I want to remember your truth! Increase my hunger and thirst for You. Amen.

Take a Next Step: Make a plan to add 5-10 additional minutes in the Bible every day this week. Be creative! A few ideas: write some verses on cards to place in visible spots. Make a favorite verse the lock screen of your phone. Set an alarm on your phone to pause and read during your lunch break. Listen to a chapter during your commute to work.