Inheritance

Daniel 12:13 But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days."(ESV)

This morning I have a lot on my mind, there seems to be a number of thoughts looking for my brain to process and all at the same time. If we leave a stone unturned, on our journey to the Celestial City (heaven) who knows what treasures we would forfeit for all eternity? Our life here on earth must be measure against God’s word and this must be done daily. Remembering that we only get one crack at it, we have our lives on earth and then for all those who would not believe that Christ paid the price for their sin and was crucified and on the third day rose from the dead. The second death awaits all of them where hell is their destination with the promise of a wailing and gnashing of teeth for all eternity. The bible is very clear on this. Remember with God all this are possible but it is impossible for God to lie. He has the power to speak worlds into existence but cannot lie for He is Holy. As much as the Lord is love and full of it, the bible says it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of an angry God. My encouragement to believers is for us not to leave a stone unturned. This statement will need some explanation.

“But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.” An angel address Daniel, a man whose life was filled with obedience and the fruit of his life spoke volumes by highlighting God’s righteousness. When reading through the book of Daniel what really caught my eye was how this angel addressed Daniel, “O Daniel, man greatly loved.” God loved Daniel and still loves him. It would be good for us to learn from his example. So what then can we learn? Very few believers feel this holy jealousy for God like Daniel did; even those who in a measure walk by faith, as we all do if we have His spirit, yet how often do we mar the lustre of our lives by craving aid from man. Daniel never relied on man even when the provision was offered to him. He was offered meat yet ate vegetables. His purpose was simple and that was to show to all around, that His God reins. He would not allow others to receive glory, but his God only. David was another who refused to wear the armour of men and by faith in God alone brought down the great giant Goliath with a slingshot and a stone. “Faith is the substance (assurance) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” When we face difficulties through life and we must, why do we run so hastily to friends and relations for assistance, if we remembered that the Lord is magnified in our dependence when we rely upon his solitary arm? Daniel and David believed and trusted in their God, will you? When the trails of life are upon us, it will be clearly evident where we stand on this point. For we all must be tried. For the trail of our faith will ultimately bring the fruit of obedience. Yes even if we have hashed it time and time again, it will produce its fruit to all those who have received God’s Spirit.

Why is it important to find obedience in our lives and to walk in faith? Firstly God’s requires it and therefore it must be done. Nothing else needs to be said. However the apostle Paul once again gives us insight to what the angel meant when addressing Daniel, “But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days." Some bibles translate it slightly differently. The Good News bible says “you will receive your reward.” The angel comforts Daniel with reassuring him and commending him on his walk here on earth and reminds him that his reward is waiting for him. Yes, obviously the Lord Jesus is the reward for all who believe on Him. But, there is more, more you say, how can that be? I agree the Lord Jesus is the all and everything, nothing else is needed. But obedience will be rewarded, let look at Pauls teaching in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15

“Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw-- each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. “

There will be a judgement for believers; it will not be a judgement for sin, for our great Saviour has already paid that price with his very own life. The price for sin cans no man pay; it was bought by the blood of the lamb. There is only one road that leads to the Celestial City and the only way to start your journey on this road is to believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and to confess Jesus as Lord, you’re Lord. I believe that is why Paul stresses the point. “Though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. “ You see we cannot save ourselves it is only God who saves. Yet, along our journey down and up this road toward the Celestial City will come across the stones of the trails of life, we can pass then by, but just remember they just might have a precious stone, some silver or even gold under them. Daniel left no stone unturned, what will you and I do with them?

Signing off

Tyrone