Character

A True Man of God

Posted on by Bob Mathews

Many things can speak to the character of Daniel. From the beginning of the book to the end his traits can be seen. These characteristics show Daniel to be a true man of God.  Are we people that others can see as being true children of God? When others look at us, do our characteristics attest to this? If we examine ourselves honestly, how would we answer these questions?

Daniel is a man worth emulating when it comes right down to it. We can see that fact by just looking at a few of his traits. Daniel is a man that stands by God. Daniel was unwilling to waver from his convictions even though he faced death. Daniel is a man of prayer. We know that Daniel went to God in prayer at least three times a day. It would not be hard to believe that on some days he may have prayed more for special circumstances, as when he got a vision. He is a good leader of the people. When praying to God, Daniel spoke for the people, telling God of the sin that they had done. Daniel did not blame others like most would but took on that burden with them. These are just a few characteristics of many that Daniel has.

Going back to our self-examination, can we say that we have any of these traits? If we cannot say yes to these traits, then we have a lot of work to do to be true children of God. Therefore, here is our three-part challenge. First, we need to read through the book of Daniel. Second, we need to read through the book again, but this time, picking out and listing Daniel’s characteristics. Third, take that list of characteristics and work on making those our characteristics. May we always be the true children of God.   Jacob Saarloos

 

The Glass House

Posted on by Bob Mathews

People at times refer to their lives as being like a glasshouse. Everything they do and every choice they make can be seen and is scrutinized by the surrounding public. This idea of living in a glass house can be seen in scripture. In Joshua 22 the tribes that return to their land across the Jordan River build an altar that the tribes that stayed in Canaan take offense to. In this event, we see two points that can help us deal with and avoid conflict in the future with our brethren and people outside the church.

The first point we see in this event is that, although what was done by those tribes seemed to be offensive and against the will of God, the western tribes did not immediately attack them for the wrong they committed. They sent an emissary first to get to the bottom of the problem and find out if the eastern tribes realized what they had done. Because they sent this emissary they were are able to find out that the altar was made to be a memorial not an offense to God. We need to remember that we may see things in a different way than what they are meant. We need to be careful not to jump to conclusions and make problems when there are none.

The second point we see in this event is that the things we do are seen by others. The building of this altar was seen by the other tribes and mistaken for something it wasn’t. We need to understand that things we do can be misconstrued for something that it was intended to be. We need to be ready to explain ourselves in a way that is not disrespectful to those who have questions. We need to be humble like the eastern tribe and be willing to be corrected if we are in the wrong.

We as Christians need to live in a glass house in the sense that what we do is transparent and our actions can be easily identified by those watching. We need to approach others in love when problems arise so that we don’t make problems where there are none. If we are doing the work of the Lord, then we should have no problem living in a glass house so others can see who we are.

Jacob Saarloos

Making the Choice of God

Posted on by Bob Mathews

Choices are something that we are all faced with every day of our lives. Sometimes those choices are just simple everyday occurrences like what to eat for breakfast, but we do come across those choices that shape who we are from time to time. To see an example of this let’s look at Ahaz king of Judah and his son Hezekiah who was later king of Judah, which is recorded in the book of 2 Kings starting at chapter 16.

When Ahaz became king he was in the midst of a war with Israel and Syria. Ahaz had choices to make.

God wanted to help him and was ready to

if Ahaz would simply turn to Him. Ahaz chose to turn to man rather than God and sought the help of Assyria. Ahaz showed his character and how he wanted to find a way himself rather than to rely on God in his life. This may have worked in theory for Ahaz because Assyria did come to his aid and rid him of the problem of Israel and Syria. Unfortunately, because Assyria was brought into the land and paid for their assistance they became greedy and eventually turned on the land of Judah. Ahaz made his choice to rely on someone other than God and it brought despair to the people.

Hezekiah, on the other hand, chose to not only trust in the Lord but to cling to Him as well, and because of this, the Lord was with Hezekiah. You can see this because at a time when Hezekiah was ill he prayed to the Lord and the Lord swiftly answered through Isaiah and healed Hezekiah and also gave him 15 extra years to his life. Hezekiah’s choice of God was not only beneficial for him it also helped the people, because when Assyria came down upon them God struck down 185,000 of their men in one night.

Hezekiah chose God. Can we make that same choice in our lives when times are tough? When we get down or are struggling is God the one that we look to? We will all face choices at times that aren’t as simple or easy as choosing breakfast, but it will show our character. Are we going to be like Ahaz and chose man or like Hezekiah and chose God?

Jacob Saarloos