38 lines
4.6 KiB
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38 lines
4.6 KiB
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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Day By Day By Grace
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Bob Hoekstra
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November 12
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<h1>Even More Consequences of Accessing Grace through Faith</h1>
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<div class="block"><i>Who <b>through faith</b>…<b>stopped</b> the <b>mouths</b> of <b>lions</b>, <b>quenched</b> the <b>violence</b> of <b>fire</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Hbr', 11, '33-34');"><a onClick="return mV('Hbr', 11, '33-33');">Hebrews 11:33b-34a</a></a>)</div>
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<p>Through various testimonies of God's servants, we have considered some <b>consequences of accessing grace through faith</b>. By trusting in the Lord, they <i>"subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Hbr', 11, '33-33');">Hebrews 11:33a</a>). Yet, through these lives we can see <b>even more</b> blessed <b>consequences</b>.</p>
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<p>Through faith in God, they <i>"<b>stopped</b> the <b>mouths</b> of <b>lions</b>."</i> This is clearly a reference to Daniel. His enemies conspired to trap him through a new law that would ban prayer to God. <i>"<b>Whoever</b> petitions <b>any</b> god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the <b>den</b> of <b>lions</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Dan', 6, '7-7');">Daniel 6:7</a>). Such a godless decree could never stop Daniel from his daily practice of prayer. <i>"Now when Daniel <b>knew</b> that the <b>writing</b> was <b>signed</b>, he went home. And in his upper room, with his <b>windows open</b> toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees <b>three times</b> that day, and <b>prayed</b> and gave <b>thanks</b> before <b>his God</b>, as was his <b>custom</b> since <b>early</b> days"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Dan', 6, '10-10');">Daniel 6:10</a>). The reluctant king (who respected Daniel greatly) had to apply the irreversible law. <i>"So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Dan', 6, '16-16');">Daniel 6:16</a>). The next day, Daniel was found alive, rescued by the God in whom he had trusted. <i>"So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and <b>no</b> injury whatever was found on him, <b>because</b> he <b>believed</b> in <b>his God</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Dan', 6, '23-23');">Daniel 6:23</a>).</p>
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<p>These testimonies also record that they <i>"<b>quenched</b> the <b>violence</b> of <b>fire</b>."</i> This would clearly refer to three contemporaries of Daniel: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. Through faith, they had courage to refuse worship of the king's idol, even though a fiery furnace awaited them. After God preserved them intact, the king extolled the Lord with understanding. <i>"<b>Blessed</b> be the <b>God</b> of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who…<b>delivered His servants</b> who <b>trusted in Him</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Dan', 3, '28-28');">Daniel 3:28</a>).</p>
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<p>By faith, we, too, can stop the mouth of the lion that threatens us. <i>"Your adversary the devil walks about like a <b>roaring lion</b>, seeking whom he may devour. <b>Resist</b> him, <b>steadfast</b> in the <b>faith</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Pe', 5, '8-9');">1 Peter 5:8-9</a>). Also, by faith in the promises of God, we can quench the violence of fiery trials that come against us. <i>"When you walk through the <b>fire</b>, you shall <b>not</b> be <b>burned</b>, <b>nor</b> shall the flame <b>scorch</b> you. <b>For</b> I am the LORD <b>your</b> God"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Isa', 43, '2-3');">Isaiah 43:2-3</a>).</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Dear Lord, what a comfort to know that lions and fires are no threat to You. Lord, grant me the courage to do what is pleasing in Your sight, no matter who comes against me. When the roaring adversary attacks, may I trust in You. When fiery circumstances blaze, may I turn to You, for Your glory, Amen.</div>
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