God Wins (Daniel 12:1-13)

The book of Daniel is a book that has many ups and downs in terms of the prophet's mission. He advances almost to the top while exiled in Babylon. However, he also has some setbacks. At the end of the book we might wonder what to make of all this? What is the purpose to press forward I Christ? We learn in this final chapter that God's providence and care for this creation are not haphazard. The Lord is moving this creation to his goal while working within the confines of a fallen world. The ultimately spoiler of history is that God wins so it is better to bow one's knee before Christ rather than at the end of the age.

Does God Love the Unlovable? (Deuteronomy 10:15)

Human beings can go in two different directions. On the one hand we can think that there is something about us that is appealing to God. So, we think that God is going to love us because we are a little more worthy of God's affection than say another person.

The other side of this is that we can think that we are so bad that we are beyond redemption. We can think that God's mercy and grace cannot bring us back from being lost so we avoid the Lord. This too is wrong as we fail to understand the Lord's grace.

How is it encouraging to know that God loves the unlovable? If we are not adorable why would we be encouraged and want to live for God? if we think we are adorable how can God's grace humble us? How does the humbling of God's grace ultimately lift us up?

Can Man Change God’s Book of Truth? (Daniel 11:2-45)

Sometimes we can read the news or we can survey our current life and wonder if there is a point to this age. We might wonder if God is still in control or if God has abandoned his rule. We might think that Satan has won and the powers or darkness have defeated our God.

This is our perspective, but Daniel assures us that our perspective is wrong. We must remember that God has written history in his book of truth. How does God's book of truth assure our that our victory is sure in Christ? Why is it so comforting that man cannot change God's book of truth? If we understand this Daniel's prophecy we can proceed throughout our life confident that we will prevail because Christ has prevailed.

You Are the Light (Matthew 5:14-16)

Our Lord says that you are the light of the world. This almost implies that we are call attention to our good works and the good things that we do.  This would mean that Christ is commanding us to be self righteous and to engage in a piety competition.  Are we really supposed to parade around our good works?  Why would Christ warn us about the outward pious acts of the pharisees?  How does being the light of the world humble us and exalt our God? 

God’s Election Has No Recount (Rom. 8:30)

In our political systems we can have recounts because we want to make sure that the right person is elected into office. It is tempting to think that God's election might also be flippant. He might have some that he elects to receive salvation for a time and then others who will receive his redemptive blessings unto glory. How do we know this is not the case? Why does the Canons of Dordt appeal only to Romans 8:30 to prove that there is only one election for God's people to receive heaven?

Joining the Angelic Army (Daniel 10:1-11:2)

We can have sympathy for Daniel's desire to return to the promised land. Daniel wants to worship his God without persecution. He believes the words of Jeremiah, but yet Daniel does not return to the land. Daniel's desire intensifies because when his people do return to the promised land they face intense persecution while rebuilding the temple. How can Daniel cope with the Lord allowing his people to be persecuted when they rebuild the temple? Does God know? Does God care? How does the Lord show the bigger picture of history? Can we take comfort that history's goal is set?

You Are the Salt of the Earth (Matthew 5:13, 14)

Today when we mention that someone is salty we mean it as a bit of a warning. Saying that someone is salty means that the person probably uses less than refined language. We would not expect the individual’s language to come from higher culture, but closer to what we might find at a shipyard. However, saying someone is salty is more of a qualification rather than an insult. We might hear someone say, “So and so is a bit salty, but boy they sure….” Then the compliment follows. Christ calls his disciples the salt of the earth without qualification. We are called to be a salty people because we are the salt of the earth. Is Christ telling us to be like sailors? What does salt have to do with Christ’s mission and divine wisdom?

Is There More than Just Trust and Obey? (COD 1; RE1; Acts 13:48)

When Christians talk about man's free will and our coming to faith we end up with the old "Tastes Great.... Less Filling debate." We are not getting to the heart of the issue. The Canons of Dordt seeks to clarify how man comes to faith. The Canons also spells out that God's choosing does not deny our sincere call to respond in faith. The Canons affirms that we are called to obey God. The Canons also defends that christians are called to persevere in our faith. So, what is the fundamental problem? Is this merely a difference of preference or is there a substantive difference?

Beyond the Land Promise: 70th Week (Daniel 9:20-27)

We can relate with a desire to return to normalcy, the things that bring us close to God, and our religious traditions that we cherish. The Lord has ripped these things from the Israelites, Daniel has confessed that Israel deserved this consequence, and now he waits upon the Lord. It is in the content of Daniel's confession that Gabriel comes to assure Daniel that the Lord is still working. Gabriel reveals that there is going to be strife and struggle throughout this age for God's people. If there is strife and struggle then why continue in the Christian life? What is so significant about the "strong covenant" in the 70th week?

Blessed are the Persecuted (Matthew 5:11,12)

We are told that persecution is a blessing.  Persecution is suffering.  Normally we do not associate suffering with blessing.  However, Christ assures us that as we are persecuted we are blessed.  Does this mean that Christ condones abuse?  Is Christ saying that blessing and abuse are one and the same?  Does Christ care about the abused and the persecuted? Clearly we know that our Lord does not defend the oppressor and the abuser so clearly Christ cannot condone such immorality.  We know that our Lord is the shield and defender to the abused.  So, how is persecution a blessing? How does persecution testify to our standing in Christ? 

Ruminating about God's Grace (Romans 11:28-36; COD Head 1 Art. 18)

If we really understand our relationship to our God we should be humble. There is nothing about the story of redemption that leads man to be arrogant. However, we can think that we are a little more worthy than our neighbor. We might also think that maybe one of our friends is more worthy of God's affection than say a thief on the cross. The Canons of Dordt reminds us that not one single person deserves God's grace. How can our contemplation of God's grace draw us closer to God,, hope less in our selves, and actually cultivate a deep compassion?

Praying for Mercy (Daniel 9:1-19)

Daniel has reported to us his visions that he received by the grace of God. It would seem that the vision would be the source of Daniel's comfort and contemplation. This is not the case, but we witness Daniel contemplating Jeremiah's promise. Daniel submits to the word of God rather than appealing to his vision. How does his submission to the word of God and his prayer teach us about confession?

Blessed are the Peacemakers

Jeremiah gives a very severe warning that we are not to say , “peace, peace when there is no peace. “ Christ states in Matthew 10, ““Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth.” If we are not to broadcast peace, and Christ does not bring peace, then how can peacemakers be blessed? What is a peacemaker and can we know if we are one?

How Find Comfort after Infant's Death? (1 Cor. 7:14; 2 Sam 12:23; COD 1:17)

As human beings we have a tendency to be sentimental and make our judgements based upon our own bias. We can think that cute infants are unstained from sin because they are too adorable to be sinful. The harsh truth is that we are all sinners from conception. We are all estranged from God because of Adam's rebellion in Eden. If this is true, then how can we take comfort in the tragedy of infant death or a miscarriage? If infants are sinners before the Lord does that mean they are condemned to hell if they die in infancy? How does the covenant of grace give us rich comfort to console us in the midst of infant death?

Seeing Under History’s Hood (Daniel 8:1-27)

Our perspective on the world is very limited and one sided. We cannot see the bigger picture of history and the ultimate guidance of the Lord. I am sure that there are times that we can see the Lord's providence at work, but we don't have a handle on the full picture. The Lord pulls back the curtain for Daniel so that he can see what makes history tick. Daniel is troubled and sick as a result of what he sees. How does Daniel's vision ultimately comfort us? How do we see the Lord's continual care for this creation? How do we know that our victory is secured in Christ?

"Blessed are the Pure in Heart" (Matthew 5:8)

Christ assures us that those who are pure in heart will see God. Does this mean that if we are pure enough then we will have a vision or be taken up into heaven immediately? How do we know if we are pure enough to see God? How does one attain this purity blessing?

Are all saved? (Rom. 9:19-25; COD Head 1 Art. 15-16)

As human beings we can potentially see ourselves as adorable, maybe a little mischievous, and maybe even a little flawed. The reality is that we are not always honest about how bad and undeserving we are to receive Christ's grace. One of our problems is that we can think that we are a little deserving of God's grace and favor, but in reality we are not deserving of it at all. So, how can our need for God's sovereign choice in applying his grace humble us? How does this realization compel us to be in a submissive and teachable posture before Christ's cross?

Four Beasts One Lord (Daniel 7:1-28)

Daniel is terrorized by his vision of four ugly beasts. These are strange looking creatures, hybrids of mighty animals, and what man can defeat them? This question is especially relevant for the fourth beast. The last beast is essentially unstoppable leaving Daniel in a state of panic. How can man prevail against such a devious creature? What is our hope today? What do we take away from his vision that gives us hope to continue through today?

Blessed are the Merciful (Matthew 5:7)

Our Lord gives the assurance that as we show mercy we will receive mercy. It this a relationship that is reciprical? It means that the more we show the more we receive? What does Christ mean that we have to show mercy to receive mercy?

Does God's Election Lead to Spiritual Laziness? (COD 1, Arts. 12-14; Romans 12:1-3)

One would think that if we are assured that Christ's work is enough then it would cheapen grace. It seems that we would think there is no need to desire good works because we have already attained it all in Christ. How can our assurance of faith bring us to a place where we want to bring forth good works? How can Christ's work compel us to want to live for him instead of self?