How To Flourish Where You Are
Are you willing to submit?
The Old Testament prophets are more than crazy people warning of the judgement God would bring…
Isaiah taught of a King greater than any king of this world.
Jeremiah taught to go into Babylon to serve and benefit the city, nation and culture.
Ezekiel taught there will be a Spirit with God’s people, no matter where they are.
Daniel is the living example of these three prophets’ counter cultural teaching.
Daniel knew these prophets…
Isaiah lived before him.
Daniel read Jeremiah (Daniel 9:1-2)
Ezekiel was in Babylon with Daniel.
Jeremiah 27 is the start of God’s shocking prophecy on how to live in Babylon.
And Daniel was brought over 2 or 3 years after these key prophecies by Jeremiah. These prophesies taught them how to live according to God’s Kingdom while living in an earthly kingdom he was raised to hate.
Jeremiah’s prophecy was unpopular and shocking. Nebuchadnezzar will take over the known world. And it’s God’s plan to do so.
And any one who submits to Nebuchadnezzar’s evil, hostile take over will actually find Life instead of lose it.
The people of Israel would hear this and think, “God would never use a man like this. There is no way a holy God would use an unholy person.”
And the gods were national. Meaning when one nation took over another nation that signified the overtaking god was more powerful than the defeated god. No way YHWH would allow himself to be defeated.
As our country barrels towards another election, there will be extremes telling us the other side is evil.
In the weeks to come you’ll be told…
“If you’re a good Christian, you will vote…”
“Jesus would care about this one hot topic item.”
“If the other side gets voted in, it’ll be the end of America, and the world, as we know it.”
If our side wins, they will be our savior. Our god won!”
Questions for thought:
Are you willing to submit to someone you view as the evil and hostile takeover to your country and world as you know it?
Are you willing to submit to someone who does not share your views politically and spiritually?
How can you lead others in your church to not allow their view of God be tied to their view of politics?