God's Wisdom In A Nutshell

Happy New Year!

Today starts the beginning of a year filled with the possibility of being in better shape literally, financially, relationally or academically.  Goals are great….IF they are in line with the Word of God.

Let’s look at an example of a diet – since most people place a healthier body at the top of their resolution list. The Bible mentions about five different diets in the Bible, all for different reasons, but the most popular, is the Daniel diet.

Daniel was a young man, captive in Babylon. He was chosen by an enemy king- king Nebuchadnezzar- to live and serve in the royal palace. He and three other boys were chosen because they were  young, healthy and good looking. The king wanted these boys assimilated into the Babylonian culture, so he changed their names from Christian names to names that honored his gods. He also wanted these young men to keep their strong physiques and therefore he allowed the boys to eat his rich food and drink his wine.

Daniel and the others were living in a new culture that didn’t honor God and they were surrounded by secular activities.They knew that if they partook in the rich food, they may start to depend on things from the king, and subsequently lose their connection with the Lord.

Anytime we depend on anyone else other than God for our needs, we are placing God second. We are setting up an idol in our life to keep us sustained. Only God can sustain us. Think of very wealthy people who don’t have good health. Only God can provide healing- including miraculous healings- to those that follow His teachings. Financially, only God can keep you protected, so that when the world fails you, you won’t fail and you will have more than enough.

If we have faith in God, it should show in our lives. Daniel and his friends knew that God wouldn’t want them to partake in any enjoyment from an ungodly king, so they stuck with their limited diet. Amazingly, after a period of time, Daniel and his friends- who ate only vegetables and drank only water- looked much healthier than those who ate the rich food from the king.

“At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king.“(Dan 1:15 NLT)

Like all messages in the Bible, this story can be related to our lives today. The world is quite enticing -think of the Las Vegas strip. Every sort of ungodly entertainment is there luring us to overeat, over drink, gamble and perhaps worse! If we avoid these things we may look prudish, but you can’t get a DUI, STD or lose your life savings if you walk away.

Yes, I’m getting real here, but there is a point. God’s ways lead to pure health. God’s ways lead us away from the worst mistakes of our lives and God’s ways provide the path to a fulfilling life that gives us more than we ever dreamed of having or being. He is a good Father, who like all good fathers, showers us with much, when we listen to Him.

Our lives may look boring to outsiders, but those in the Kingdom, know the truth. Following the Lord is the only way that we will ever get what we desire most- starting first and foremost with a peace and contentment that surpasses all understanding.

“Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Ps 37:4)

Most people read this verse and think of income, but look around- does wealth, celebrity status and material possessions seem to satisfy those who have it? I think it is pretty clear that the soul yearns for more than temporary things.

God’s ways are counterintuitive. He asks us to walk away from the glitzy alluring life to follow Him. And in the end He provides all that we desire and more.

“…humbly accept the message God hs planted in your hearts…it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. If you don’t obey, you are only fooling yourself…But if you keep looking steadily into God’s perfect law-the law that sets you free-and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.”(1 James 21,22,25)

God will never make us do anything, we have free will, and therefore we can either chain ourselves to our desires or we can break free and live as the Lord instructs and be blessed in our health, finances and eternal security. It’s never too late…He is waiting for you with arms wide open.

The question God asks all of us daily is:

“I gave you freedom, is it YES or NO”

Have a wonderful new year filled with increased knowledge of our Lord!

Lisa