A Lesson from Daniel

I'm sitting here, paging through my Bible. I have been studying the book of Daniel because our church is having VBS soon, and this is the theme for the week.

Most children know the story of Daniel and the Lion's Den. It is probably one of the most popular Bible Stories! But as I sit here reminding myself of the details, I am just feeling so thankful for the way God orchestrates the details of our lives.

Consider Daniel, taken from his home to serve the king, and given another name. All unfortunate events, if you look at them at face value.

But God as always was controlling all the little details - those details that would come together for the good of His child.

There are times in our lives when we feel anxious and insecure about the little details that we can't control.

How thankful we should be that we are not in control, and that a loving, merciful Father is teaching us and molding us.

His Time. His Purpose. His Glory.

It is as simple as that.

How thankful I am.

Imitate Christ

The Lord Jesus "is altogether lovely." Then if I want to be lovely, I must be like Him, and the model for me as a Christian is Christ. Copy Jesus: "He is altogether lovely." We want to have Christ's zeal, but we must balance it with His prudence and discretion. We must seek to have Christ's love for God, and we must feel His love for men, His forgiveness of injury, His gentleness of speech, His incorruptible truthfulness, His consecration to His Father's business.

Oh, that we had all this! For depend on it--whatever other pattern we select, we have made a mistake; we are not following the true classic model of the Christian artist. Our master model is the "altogether lovely" one. How sweet it is to think of our Lord in the double aspect as our example and our Savior! Oh, when I come to my Lord Jesus, not only do I get rid of my sins, but also I see my spots in the light of His perfect character; and I am humbled and taught to follow after holiness.

~Charles Spurgeon