Shade Tree Wisdom 1/9/13

          “But how did they know”? That question came after an Epiphany service in the next confirmation class I was teaching. The questioner was a bright lad, curious and always wanting to understand.

          So we went to the Book of Daniel.

          I reminded the class of the captivity of Israel by the Babylonians, and that they had dragged many Israelites some 800 miles east to a foreign land. One of these captives was Daniel.

          Of course they knew that story, Daniel in the lion’s den. And also probably about the three men in the fiery furnace. So we opened the Book, and I showed them just what happened to the king in these events.

          Daniel, alone among pagans, remained faithful to His God. So, when the king ordered him shut into the lion’s den he said,” Your God, to whom you are so loyal, will get you out of this.” And He did.

          The point I wanted to make was to show that when Israel went to Babylon, and later Persia, they remained faithful to their God, had their scriptures with them, and made such an impression that the sages paid attention.

          I am sure that is  what God planned all along, and so the wise came from the east seeking “The king born top rule”.

          Daniel, surrounded by unbelievers, remained faithful to His God.

We live in a sort of foreign land too, Christianity is maligned, joked about, derided ad denied. Yet the Spirit in us says, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”

          So, I urge, remain faithful and strong in your faith. God is our Rock and our sure defense,.

GPD 1/9/13