GOD’S WORD FOR  MARCH 22

We are reading from a daily devotional  called “Running To Win” written by Erwin Lutzer  and the late, great D.L. Moody.   Erwin Lutzer is a light in our day as D.L. Moody was in his.  Besides his many ministries, and many books, Pastor Lutzer was Senior Pastor at Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years and now serves as Pastor Emeritus there.  He is  Chancelor and a former professor at Moody Bible Institute, where he taught Theology and Ministry, and now has numerous radio teachings.

FOUR FACTS ABOUT FAITH

Daniel 3:17-18

“If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.  But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

D.L. MOODY

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego spoke respectfully, but firmly,  and mark, they did not absolutely say that God WOULD deliver them from the burning, fiery furnace; but they declared that He was ABLE to deliver them, “But IF NOT,” – if in  His inscrutable purposes He allows us to suffer – “still our resolve is the same:  We will not worship the golden image which you have set up.”  They were not afraid to pass from the presence of the king of  Babylon to the presence of the King of kings.

ERWIN LUTZER

How do we keep believing when God doesn’t deliver us like we expect?  Scripture reveals four facts regarding faith.  First, sometimes faith changes our circumstances.  Hebrews 11 lists many victories because of faith – military conquests, healings, and divine miracles.  Second, sometimes faith does NOT change our circumstances. 

My wife and I have been to Rome and have stood where many believers did not receive deliverance and were thrown to the lions.  Third, faith does not judge God by circumstances.  We believe God loves the world, not because the world appears to be a loving place, but because His Word tells us He sent His Son to redeem us.  Finally, faith always leads to ultimate victory for Christians; live or die, we are the Lord’s.  Let’s not judge God’s care for us by what we see but by the promises of the world to come.

PRAYER

Father, may the gold of my faith be refined even as You walk with me through the fire.

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Psalm 115:3

But our God is in heaven;  He does whatever He pleases.

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Colossians 1:17

 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

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Psalm 103:19

The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.

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Isaiah 45:7

I form the light and create darkness,  I make peace and create calamity;  I, the Lord, do all these things.’

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Isaiah 40:23

He brings the princes to nothing;  He makes the judges of the earth useless.

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Ephesians 1:11

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,

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Isaiah 46:10

Declaring the end from the beginning,  and from ancient times things that are not yet done,

Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,  and I will do all My pleasure,’

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Jeremiah 10:23

O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself;  it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.

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