This afternoon I was watching a Travel Channel show set in the beautiful region of Provence. The host (Samantha Brown) toured a very unique vineyard. The owner showed her vines with beautiful grapes...and then discussed something unexpected...the very rocky soil where the grapes grew. The rocks below the vines were as big as my fist!
He said something like this, "The ground is full of stones. It's rocky. But that makes the grapes stronger."
I think that sometimes our lives are like that--we can be like the grapes under pressure and choose to walk in grace despite the obstacles of our lives.
In today's passage, Daniel receives a prophetic vision of end times...times far ahead from his present. In part of these chapters, the angel describes some people who faced some serious pressure. Check it out:
The king of the north will play up to those who betray the holy covenant,
corrupting them even further with his seductive talk,
but those who stay courageously loyal to their God will take a strong stand.
"'Those who keep their heads on straight
"'Those who keep their heads on straight
will teach the crowds right from wrong by their example.
They'll be put to severe testing for a season:
some killed, some burned, some exiled, some robbed.
When the testing is intense,
they'll get some help,
but not much.
Many of the helpers will be halfhearted at best.
The testing will refine, cleanse, and purify
those who keep their heads on straight and stay true...
I think it's interesting that this passage doesn't describe a rescue. God doesn't come down on a white horse and pick up the people severely tested (and even killed!) for doing the right thing under pressure. Perhaps that seemed strange to you. It may feel heartless, uncaring, unjust. However, pressure can make people better (or lead to rewards in heaven).
If you ever doubt God while under fire, keep this in mind: Pressure has a purpose. And God has a purpose, too.
Tomorrow: Hosea 1-7
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