Good morning! Second week of my new Bible study group, and as always it is much easier the after that first meeting. Less anxiety and physical discomfort, more participation and learning as the Lord moves through His Holy Spirit. Now the only question remaining: Is the cat sensing my pain and trying to comfort me by pawing at my butt, or is he hungry again? The stool is right behind me as I write, but I don't get to use it since the cat has claimed it for his own. That's okay, the plan was to do more writing while standing up! Today, we studied that famous story of Daniel and the lion's den.
This old story has political intrigue, false witness, mortal danger, a powerful king undone by his own law, and a final justice for the evil ones. Of course we like the stories like this; these are a part of the great stories of old handed down generation to generation to prove God's providence in the lives of those who believe in Him. Today, the entire world seems to hate God. Yet, the stories stand and are told in these dark times.
I find comfort in the Bible. Over the centuries governments, rulers, religious authorities, and others have tried to destroy God's word and those great old stories. Dictators have banned the word of God, and courageous missionaries have smuggled it across borders at night. Is this rebellious activity? Sure, against the governing ruler, but God's word will be heard in all corners of the world before the end comes. Ministers spread the Gospel in nations where speech is relatively free, but also in nations where speech is restricted to government approved texts. People love these great old stories because, unlike so many stories that are simply just old or well-told, these stories have a spirit in them we recognize in our soul.
God saves Daniel from the lions when King Darius could not. God forgives David after he commits terrible sins. God reboots the human race with Noah and an overwhelming flood, and then promises never to do it again. God saves all who will believe by an execution near Jerusalem. Eh? What's that last story about?
The story of Jesus is the one the world hates, doubts, and fears most of all. How strong is this God who allows his son to be executed? Well, let us see. The story of death and resurrection of the hero is used by Tolkien, more than once actually, in the Lord of the Rings. Rowling used it to conclude her Harry Potter series. The horror of Bram Stoker's Dracula is in the wrongness of a death and resurrection through evil means. Death and resurrection is a powerful story, but we do not prove the original by the copies. C.S. Lewis copied the story of Jesus best of all, but the story of Aslan and his deeper magic does not prove the story of our Lord's resurrection and coming return. What we want from the new stories is for children and adults to want the pure truth, the Bible.
The story of God's Son, Jesus, who laid down His life in obedience to God's will, and by it paid the price for our sins, gives us our great hope. I can copy this story, add in a new setting with characters strange and wonderful, just as C.S. Lewis did, but I cannot make it better. What could be better than believing in Jesus and gaining eternal life?
Whoa, sorry, a good Bible study has made me into a sermon writer. A devotional is supposed to be on the shorter side. May God bless you on this fine day!
Bucky
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