Flattery

OK, it's been a while since I've posted. I have done some posting on other blogs, but nothing substantial in over four months. Well, this morning as I was reading, a verse struck me that I just had to blog about.

He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.

Daniel 11:32 (ESV)

I realize that I am living outside of the historical context of this prophecy, but nevertheless, I am challenged by it. There is a stark and even dangerous choice presented here and I want to examine that closely.

"...seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant..." This seems to me to be a two-way street. Depending on which translation each half of this comes first sometimes. Violating the covenant may lead to being seduced by flatteries. Being seduced by flatteries may lead to violating the covenant. It's easy to let a simple "Atta boy!" or "Good job" cause your head to swell, isn't it? Let a little pride slip in and it drives a wedge between you and God. It's even easier to swell up with pride if you've already turned your heart away from God. It's one thing to accept kind words of edification, it's another thing entirely to be seduced by them.

...but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action Stand firm and take action sound really good don't they? I think I will stand firm and take action. Isn't that great? Yes it is, thank you! Who's going to stand firm and take action? The people who know their God! This one isn't a two-way street. Standing firm and taking action will not necessarily lead you to knowing God. But, knowing God will lead you to standing firm and taking action. Knowing God is the key to this.

¹O LORD, you have searched me and known me! ²You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

    you discern my thoughts from afar.

³You search out my path and my lying down

    and are acquainted with all my ways.

⁴Even before a word is on my tongue,

    behold, O LORD,

    you know it altogether.

⁵You hem me in, behind and before,

    and lay your hand upon me.

⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

    it is high; I cannot attain it.

Psalm 139:1-6 (ESV)

Know God and stand firm and take action or violate the covenant and be seduced by flatteries. The choice shouldn't be that hard. At times it's harder than it should be. Our circumstances may change even though God does not. It's real easy to get distracted. God doesn't change. He causes all things to work together for the good of those that love Him and are called according to His purpose. Know God. Stand firm. Take action. Know God. Know God.

Putting It In Writing

"In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it."

Nehemiah 9:38

The wall was rebuilt and the Israelites were recounting God's faithfulness in all that He had done for them. They declared publicly that they were commiting to God. Then, they put it in writing and making it official. By putting it on paper, affixing their seal to it, they were attempting to show how serious they were about their commitment. If they faltered, someone could pull out the paper and remind them of their commitment. If they wanted to break their commitment, you could look at the seal on the document and realize that it cannot be broken. They could be held accountable to their commitment. There's no seal on my blog. No physical signature on it either. Back on May 4, 2010 I committed to blogging on my daily Bible reading as a means to engaging more deeply with what I have been reading. I am amazed at how God has blessed me and how much more I have gleaned from what I was reading. I've been convicted in areas I'm falling short. I've been edified and encouraged to grow in some areas. I feel like I've gotten to know some of the Old Testament saints better and been encouraged as I've read of their repentence. Most importantly, I've gotten to know God better. That has been my ultimate goal and it remains so. So, don't look for my signature or my seal, but here in writing for all to see is my commitment.