‘Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favour of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth.’ (v13) Daniel 9:13–14
‘Pay Attention!’ A phrase that haunted me throughout my school days. How I hated the constraints of the classroom. The teacher would catch me gazing out of the window, daydreaming. I had little interest in listening and learning; I wanted to be outside. Interestingly, at university, one of my tutors boldly announced, ‘Boots, not books, Jazz. Boots not books.’ He had seen that my learning was through investigation rather than simply digesting the thoughts of others.
Obviously, there’s a balance. However, growing in God we are to pay attention to His instruction and then apply it to our life. School was an essential element in my growing up, yet the knowledge that fails to inform behaviour yields a barren harvest.
We are to obey God in detail, for Scripture offers us the Maker’s instructions for life. But these instructions are not simply for careful consideration or endless repetition. They are to enable Christ’s disciples to follow in His footsteps and live the life of the kingdom as revealed in Scripture.
When implemented effectively, this offers a counter-cultural expression to challenge the disasters experienced by so many. Will we choose to live in such a way as to offer the path to the fullness of life to others? At the very least let’s pray for them.
Related Scripture to Consider: Exod. 19:1–9; 2 Chron. 34; John 6:25–51; Col. 3:1–17.
An Action to Take: How can you take your Biblical understanding and turn it into everyday actions that reveal the life and love of Jesus, even when it means self-sacrifice?
A Prayer to Make: ‘Lord, help me both to understand and to obey Your Word so that I reveal the character of the kingdom through my lifestyle and time-style. I pray that others would come to know You through my witness. Amen.’
Photo by Sam Moqadam on Unsplash
