"O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?" (Daniel 6v20)
Daniel and the lions den. A lovely Sunday school story. Yet the truth contained in it, is not just for children. For any who like myself never went to Sunday school, Daniel has been cast into a lions den, thanks to some jealous governors who had tricked the king into doing so. The king is the one who says these words after a sleepless night, fearing the worst. But Daniel is able to reply:
My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm." (Daniel 6v22)
So what does that have to do with you? Well in the days we live in we face many struggles against sin and against the world and I just want to remind you that we have a God who is able to deliver us. Turn with me to 1 Corinthians 10v13
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
The battle against sin is never an easy one, sometimes we feel we are the only one battling against it, let me assure you that you are not, for as this verse reminds us, while not all of us struggle with the same sin, there are others out there who do struggle with the same sin as you do.
Can I also remind you that we are never alone in the battle against sin. A little over 6 years ago I had a problem. On regular occasions I would go out with friends and get drunk. I knew it was wrong and yet thought well how will I ever see my friends if I don't go out with them to the pub and drink and occasionally drink too much. Then in one night everything changed. There was no earthquake nor were there any flashes of lightning but the Lord quietly spoke to me, telling me to give up alcohol. Now I believe if I had tried to go in my own strength back into the world it would not have been long until my friends tempted me back to the pub, to drink and get drunk. But God is faithful. For the very next day I was due to go to a week long Bible study at Tintagel. There I made some new friends, hopefully some of whom are reading this now, for to them I owe a big thank you, for their help, support and prayers. God provided me with different friends and young people Bible studies to take the place of the pub. We each struggle with different things at different times, but may I just remind you to take them to the Lord in prayer, for He is able to deliver you. I leave you with this verse:
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. John 4v4
Please send any questions or comments you have on this article to a.wood@assemblyyouth.net
|
Lord's return