Tag: faithfulness

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

A night with an angel and lions

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Jonathan Cooper on Unsplash

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Daniel 6.

First, a summary of the classic Sunday School story. Then, some unorthodox thoughts that come to mind.

When other officials fail to dig up any dirt to discredit Daniel, they decide they will use his faith against him (Daniel 6:5). They set him up, getting the king to establish an ordinance that no one can pray to anyone else but him for the next thirty days. The penalty? Offenders will be cast into the den of lions (6:7).

When Daniel deliberately disobeys and prays to God has he always did, the king has no choice but to throw him into the den of lions, wishing him the best: “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” (6:16).

The next morning, Daniel is safe and sound, explaining, “My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me” (6:22). It’s not that the lions weren’t hungry. Those who conspired against Daniel, along with their wives and children, were immediately torn apart when they were thrown to the lions (6:24).

Wouldn’t you like to spend the night with an angel? I would. Perhaps I need to consider what radical faithfulness would look like for me, so that I could have that opportunity.

In the same vein, wouldn’t it be great to spend the night with lions, especially knowing that they wouldn’t harm you? We used to line up early for feeding time at the Philadelphia zoo, eager to see the lions sink their teeth into some large slabs of beef. How great would it be to stroke their manes and hear them purr?

Daniel got to experience both of those things by simply giving God thanks on a regular basis. That simple spiritual habit was not only courageous and faithful, but resulted in a night he would never forget!

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Turn around

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Jim Wilson on Unsplash

I was talking with someone about faith. I asked him if they were sure they were saved. He said, “I don’t know. I don’t know what my life or my faith will be like in the future.”

I had no idea what to say. I just listened.

I think it’s fair to say that Solomon had it all. Scripture tells us that “King Solomon became greater than all the kings of the earth in wealth and wisdom” (10:23).

Suddenly, it all goes south. First, “King Solomon loved many foreign women” (1 Kings 11:1). Is that a problem? Not at first. “When Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away to follow other gods” (11:4).

Now it’s a problem. “His heart was not wholly devoted to the Lord his God” (11:4). It only takes eleven verses of scripture for a king who has it all to be the one who threw it all away.

I don’t get it. How could Solomon’s world famous wisdom let him down in his personal life? How could his unequaled discernment and judgment not protect him from idolatry and unfaithfulness?

I’ve thought about this a lot and haven’t come to any conclusions. But the words of Jesus keep coming to mind: “Unless you repent” (Luke 13:3). Living in an information age, it doesn’t matter how much I know about God. It doesn’t matter how much I’ve been blessed. It doesn’t matter how long I’ve trusted God. It doesn’t matter how much wisdom I have.

It’s about turning to him. It’s all about repentance.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Spiritual Training: Preparing for Life’s Challenges

Posted on by William Douthwaite

A “through the bible” devotion from 1 Samuel 17.

When David volunteers to fight one-on-one with the giant Philistine Goliath, King Saul says, “That’s not a good idea. You’re just a young man. He’s been fighting his whole life.”

David replies, “What do you mean? I’ve fought off lions and bears while tending my father’s flock. I can handle him.”

“The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:37).

David’s been training his whole life for this moment, too. Grabbing, hitting, and killing lions and bears is good physical training. Watch sheep graze sounds mostly dull, giving a shepherd plenty of time to practice with a sling.

It’s good spiritual training, too. Fighting off lions and bears sounds terrifying. When it’s over, David knows God had a hand in his victory. Since one of God’s character traits is faithfulness, David was confident of a victory over Goliath.

Which of today’s experiences is preparing me for future tasks? Who knows. God is still faithful, so I know he’s getting me ready for something. Just as he always has.

Learning how to play guitar on the front porch of the fraternity house turned out to be a great asset when leading preschool students in worship. DJ-ing for the college radio station equipped me to work a sound mixing board in the church sanctuary. Volunteering in a hospital while I was in high school prepared me for visiting parishioners in the hospital.

I never know when I’m going to encounter a giant. But I do know that with God’s help, I’ll be ready. How about you?

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Yes, he will do it!

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by NASA on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Exodus 12.

It’s only been in my lifetime that satellite images, doppler radar, and computer models have equipped meteorologists to warn us of approaching hurricanes a week before they arrive. I am certain that a century ago, those who dared live in a pre-air conditioned Florida looked felt the wind, saw the surf kick up, and concluded, “Yep, looks like a big storm’s coming.” Today, living in Florida, the hint of a tropical wave drifting off the coast of the African continent generates a week’s worth of excitement for those who love to predict the path of a coming storm.

I am thankful for the extra time to prepare for severe weather. I have spend the night listening to the wind and rain of a category four hurricane, wondering which tree will come through my roof and when our power will be restored.

I’ve prepared for storms that never materialized, too. I’ve cancelled appointments, stocked up on supplies, brought every loose item in from the back yard, and bought extra gas for the generator. But the rain never came. It was a breezy day, but I still saw blue in the sky. I hate to admit it, but if it happens enough, one tends to pay minimal attention to those dire predictions.

As God prepares his people to leave Egypt, he instructs them to paint the door posts and lintels of their homes with the blood of a lamb they will roast and eat that night. Moses passes along these instructions:

“Now you shall eat it in this way: with your garment belted around your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in a hurry—it is the Lord’s Passover” (Exodus 12:11).

In other words, follow these instructions with confidence and certainty. God is going to do this. You are going to leave Egypt tomorrow!

So what if we lived as if God were going to do exactly what he says? Like the person who prayed for rain and left the house carrying an umbrella. Or the people in a wilderness who only gathered up what they needed for one day, confident of God’s daily provision (Exodus 16:4). Some household budgets include a tithe, because God promises to give even more (Malachi 3:10).

If you know God at all, you know he’s faithful. Become familiar with his promises. And then live with the confidence that he will do it!