Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Where Do You Stand?

Let me relate a few incidents in the Bible.

Joseph was a God fearing young man; while growing up, he was hated by his brothers. They even sold him into slavery. But, his God was favorable to him and he rose in the ranks and became in favor of his owner, Potiphar. Undoubtedly he was also favored by Potiphar's wife. She tried to get him compromise his faith and have an affair with her. He refused and eventually he was thrown in jail. Joseph did not forsake God, and God did not forsake Joseph! Joseph eventually became the second most powerful man in Egypt. (Genesis 39-41)

There were three Hebrew boys that were faithful to Jehovah God and worshiped Him each day and prayed three times a day on a regular basis. Their Babylonian name were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. King Nebuchadnezzar had a golden statue of enormous size and ordered all the kingdom, at a certain time and sound of a trumpet, to bow and worship the statue. Those that would not were to be cast into a fiery furnace. These three refused to bow before the idol, and Nebuchadnezzar was furious. He told the boys that if they would just act as if they were praying to the idol he would spare them. They even went as far as to tell the king that they didn't even have to think about their decision, they would not deny their God even in pretense, even if God did not spare them. God did not forsake them. (Daniel 3)

Daniel was a young, good looking man, and in good shape, when he was taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel and several others were singled out to serve the king, and although they were in prison, were given good accommodation's, meals from the king's table etc. They were encouraged to forget their religious beliefs. Daniel and others refused and fared better than all others. After Nebuchadnezzar died, Darius became king. Daniel found favor with Darius and became one of the governors of a section of the kingdom.

A decree went out from Darius that no one was to pray to any other god except him. This was to encourage Godly people to forsake their convictions that only God was God. Daniel kept his vigil and prayed three times a day to Jehovah God. For this act, he was cast into the lion's den. God delivered Daniel by closing the mouths of the lions. God did not forsake Daniel. (Daniel 6)

Throughout history, Satan has tried to get God's people to deny God and to worship him. I have read and heard of many in our generation being tortured and encouraged to deny Christ. Just a few examples: Hitler, Lenin, and Stalin.

Just recently I read an article that said President Obama stated that the progressives in society needs to 'help' those with deeply held religious beliefs overcome their convictions. To overcome our convictions, as Christians, would mean to deny Christ and His Word.

Matthew 10:33 "But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." After the death and resurrection of Christ the disciples went out preaching and teaching the Word, their motto was we ought to obey God rather than man. There is a time coming when we are going to face this very thing.

WHERE DO YOU STAND?

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