Voices of the Past

In 597 B.C., the mighty kingdom of Babylon attacked Jerusalem, and King Nebuchadnezzar carried the crème of the crop from Judea into captivity in Babylon. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were among those taken. The young men were given Babylonian food and clothes and were educated in Babylonian schools, reading their philosophers and scientists.  Their captors even changed their names to Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in an attempt to transform the young men soul-deep.

Nebuchadnezzar had foresight. These talented and intelligent young men could benefit the kingdom and government. In turn, winning the hearts and minds of these influential captives could be an asset in the battle to gain the cooperation of the wider Jewish population.

Daniel and his friends acquitted themselves well in their studies and adapted to the culture in areas that did not contradict their faith. However, each of them stood firm in their loyalty to God and His Word, even at peril to their very lives.

Most of us will not be called to step into the lion’s den or a fiery furnace, but the enemy tries to rob us of our identity. He works to convince us that we are less than who we are, that we’re still trapped in sin, and that we cannot help but repeat the past. He’s a liar. As believers, we are a new creation in Christ. The old “man”, our old nature is dead. We are no longer shackled to our old sin natures. Sin is no longer our master. We are free to pursue righteousness and serve the Lord.

The enemy has lies in store for us, as well, in regards to our writing or whatever God has called us to do. He whispers that we’re not good enough, that we’ll never get it quite right, that we’ll never publish our stories. If God has called us to write, He will open the doors and provide the way. His timing is perfect.

Whatever your calling, God has your back, and He will go before you clearing the path He has for you. So keep marchng.

Psalm 18:

⁹ For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.

³⁰ As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

³¹ For who is God save the Lord? or who is a rock save our God?

³² It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

³³ He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high place