When Crisis Strikes

By Jeff Curtis

In the book of Daniel, we see different reactions people have to crises in their lives. We live in a world where things (and people) go wrong. Sometimes we live from crisis to crisis. What do these circumstances reveal? How do we respond?

Crises sometimes reveal evil in us. Nebuchadnezzar was entrusted with an empire. His order to kill the wise men was not logical, it was ill-timed and selfish. It would have been devastating for his kingdom. He acted wickedly.

Also, the king was unreasonable. He demanded from others the recalling of his dream. In his cruelty, he was unknowingly going to punish himself. Had his order been carried out, he would have killed Daniel, who was later to become his friend, ally and confidant – as well as the one who would reveal the dream.

Crises often reveal weakness in us. The dream and the interpretation are linked not only by the king but also by God, who revealed both the Daniel. The Chaldeans were without divine assistance. Their response in verse 11 was that there could be no revelation, no answer. They were saying, “If we cannot get an answer, then there is none.” To pronounce faith invalid just because we don’t know the answer to a certain question would be to make the same mistake the Chaldeans made.

Crises also reveal our faith. James 1:2-4 says that God allows our faith to be tested, or tried, in order to strengthen us. Daniel’s response to a serious crisis in his life was to turn to God in prayer. He even asked others to pray with him. Daniel, in turn, was used by God to handle the crisis for all concerned. Only God knows what we are capable of enduring.

How do we respond to crises? A crisis doesn’t create faith in God; it makes known the faith we already have.

The People of God - An Epilogue

by Josh McKibben

This past week, as I was delivering lessons on some of the defining characteristics of The People of God (1 Peter 2:9-10), my family and I got to experience some additional qualities of God’s people:

● We got to sing and pray with worshipful people (Psalm 79:13).

● We got to examine the Scriptures with studious people (Acts 17:11).

● We got to assemble for six straight days with devoted people (Acts 2:42).

● We got to be welcomed into the homes of hospitable people (1 Peter 4:9).

● We got to be beneficiaries of the gifts of generous people (1 Timothy 6:18).

● We got to be built up by a group of encouraging people (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

● We got to witness the efforts of servant-hearted people (1 Peter 4:10).

● And we got to see the love that God’s people have for one another (Romans 12:10).

Thank you, Knollwood, for a great week. It’s been a blessing to share in the good things that God accomplishes through His people. Perhaps we will meet again on this side of eternity, but if not, we look forward to reuniting in that “Sabbath-rest that awaits the people of God” (Hebrews 4:9).

“Christ Reigns Today”

Jarrod Jacobs

Our Lord Jesus Christ reigns today. This is a fact that is lost on many. After His resurrection and ascension, Christ sat down at the right hand of God to reign over us. Daniel saw this day, and declared, “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed” (Dan. 7:13-14). The fulfillment of Daniel’s vision is seen in Acts 1:9-11 when Christ “came to” God and sat down at His right hand. The apostle Paul said that Christ is reigning now, and “must reign til he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” (I Cor. 15:25- 26). In the book of Ephesians, the apostle Paul discussed Christ’s resurrection and ascension and said, “Which he (God) wrought in Christ, when he (God) raised him (Christ) from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all” (Eph. 1:20-23). Certainly, Christ is reigning today.

Christ reigns over us today as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (I Tim. 6:15). We may not want to think about it; some may even deny it; but when all is said and done, Christ reigns today! God told His Son (not the angels, Heb. 1:5-6), “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom” (Heb. 1:8).

Based on the truth that Christ reigns over us today, what does this mean to us?

First, it means man has no authority. Jesus pronounced that He had all authority. “Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matt. 28:18). If Christ has all authority, then how much does that leave for you or me? Once we understand this, then we will be on our way to being submissive to our King!

It also means that man has no legislative power. Some take upon themselves the role of lawmaker. This is evident in those who hear Christ’s words and then declare, “I know the Bible says that, but....” Sometimes, after hearing God’s word, people state, “That is your opinion.” If you or I are guilty of this, then we are trying to be the lawmaker! Friends, that job has already been taken! Christ is the lawmaker today (Jas. 4:12). His law is found in the New Testament, and it will not change (Matt. 24:35). It is high time we accepted it and obeyed rather than fighting against it!

Finally, Christ reigning today means that we will be punished if we do not do as the King says. Again, the apostle Paul wrote about this aspect of Christ’s reign. He wrote to the Thessalonians and told them that on the last day, Christ will come, “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (II Thess. 1:8-9). Do we want to be found in rebellion against the King? Of course, not! Then, we must become a citizen of His Kingdom through faith in Him (Jn. 8:24), repenting of sins (Lk. 13:3), confessing our faith in Christ (Rom. 10:10), and being baptized for the remission of sins (Mk. 16:16). What is keeping us from doing what is right? What is keeping us from being faithful to the very taking of our lives (Rev. 2:10)? “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12:1)! It does not matter who is in the White House or the thrones of men, Jesus Christ reigns today!