"And such as do wickedly against the
covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God
shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the
people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by
captivity, and by spoil, many days." Dan. 11:31-32
What are great exploits? What are these
great things that people who know their God do? Often we define things
according to the world's definitions. We think mighty exploits are great
deeds done.
We think of people whose actions have impacted the
world. We think of the glory and the fame.
Truly mighty exploits - ones that count for
eternity - can only be done by people who know their God. It then follows
that we must look for mighty exploits from God's point of view, not man's.
What does God look for in these great deeds?
A) LOVE
Jesus gave the first commandment as loving God
completely. All mighty exploits flow from a love of God. Any other
motive is self-seeking and renders great actions eternally
impotent. Our love for God must be first. We act out of our
desire to please him in all actions - great and small.
B) OBEDIENCE
God looks for men and women, boys and girls,
who will obey His instructions. Too many people want to decide for
themselves what is right or wrong. That was the failure of Adam and Eve
in the Garden of Eden. It is not a choice God has given mankind. He
has already declared what is right and wrong. Our choice is simply
obedience or disobedience.
C) SUBMISSION
Mighty exploits can only be done by people in
submission both to God and to His leadership. They know what it is like
to be under authority, and so they have authority.
D) SELF-DENIAL
To do mighty exploits we must consider the
cause of our King greater than our own lives. We must be willing to put
it all on the line. We cannot seek our own glory, fame, or
satisfaction. We are to be consumed with the Kingdom of God.
E) PRINCIPLES
Mighty exploits can only be done by people who
will stand on Godly principles no matter what the cost. They do not
violate the Covenant. They will not be moved by selfish
ambition. They will not compromise. They will treat everyone
ethically and fairly no matter what the cost.
What do great deeds look like?
Jesus did His greatest work on the cross.
To the world it looked like failure, to God it was the greatest victory
possible.
One of Job's mightiest exploits was when he
praised God after he lost everything, including his health.
I once read in Voice of the Martyrs how a
Christian family helped a murderous guerrilla leader get a life-saving
operation and then cared for him as he was recovering, including having him
spend Christmas with them. He later said it was the first time anyone had
given him a gift. It was a mighty exploit.
Great exploits are done by people who are the
love of God expressed in their community.
Yes, they will oppose evil, but it is far more
than that. Remember that evil is overcome by doing good. The end
never justifies the means. The ends and the means must both be
righteous. We can't go around shooting abortion doctors, for example?
How many of us have had such doctors into our
homes for a friendly meal?
I know I haven't.
The price we pay for doing what is right may be
high - sword, flame, captivity. In the long run; however, we will win and
the Lord will abundantly reward us for any sacrifice on His behalf.
We need to clear our minds of the clutter that
often clouds our vision. We need to begin to see things how God sees them
and to express the unconditional love of God. Then we will do mighty
exploits that will echo for eternity even if they are unrecognized on
earth. This is not something for supersaints, but for everyone one of
God's people. I am talking to a mirror, because I need to consider this
so much more in my own life.
Daily Declarations:
a) You are Strong
b) You are Brave
c) You are Wise
d) You are Willing
e) You are Winning
f) You are Overcoming
You have what you need to have to do what God
commands us to do.
Revelations 19:10... "the testimony of
Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy."
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário
Observação: somente um membro deste blog pode postar um comentário.