Scripture for Today: Daniel 1:9 “To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.”

“Rabbit’s clever,” said Pooh thoughtfully. “Yes,” said Piglet, “Rabbit’s clever.” “And he has Brain.” “Yes,” said Piglet, “Rabbit has Brain.” There was a long silence. “I suppose,” said Pooh, “that that’s why he never understands anything.”― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh How astute of Pooh! He surprises me with his funny insights. And it does seem that the more we think, study and learn, the more we realize how little we know and understand.

Today’s verse refers to Daniel and 3 other young men of Israel’s nobility who were taken captive by the King of Babylon. These four were singled out among all the captives to be trained for special service to the King, as they showed aptitude for learning and were well informed (vs. 3-4). These men were committed to keeping their dietary laws and God blessed their faithfulness with something they would desperately need. He gave them knowledge and understanding. Their own efforts at learning would be enhanced by this gift.

There is a whole dimension to knowledge and understanding that is missed when the Source is denied or ignored. It is from the mouth of the Lord that knowledge and wisdom come (Prov. 2:6). And knowing Him is understanding (Prov. 9:10). Although study, research and efforts to learn are very important, they can somehow fall short of that elusive step of understanding. How wonderful that God graciously offers it to those who fear and obey His Word! I will never understand it all this side of Heaven. But whatever I do understand is His gift to me.

Thank you Lord for the understanding You give.

Scripture for Today: I Timothy 6:20b-21 “…Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.”

Meet the pangolin. Although he looks like a reptile, he is a mammal. And because of those funny looking scales, he is the most poached and trafficked animal. They are made of keratin, the same stuff of hair and nails. But in some Asian countries they are thought to have medicinal properties. Because of what most would consider a false idea, their numbers are declining in their Asian and African habitats and they are at risk of extinction.

Today’s verse tells us to turn away from what is falsely called “knowledge.” If what we are hearing discounts completely God’s existence, then it is “godless.” Ideas opposing the absolute truth of Scripture may sound learned and intelligent, but it is not true knowledge. Those who adopt what opposes Scripture are at risk to leave the faith. But turning away from what pretends to be knowledge is not done in pride. Rather it is done in humility, recognizing that we too can be unduly influenced and leave the faith.

I do not want to “write off” those who hold to false ideas. I turn away so as to not be enticed myself by something that contradicts what God has made clear in His Word. I need to remember that it is the Lord that gives wisdom, from His mouth come knowledge and understanding (Prov. 2:6). True knowledge is knowing and loving the Source of truth (John 14:6). But I need to not only turn a deaf ear to what is false, but live out what I know to be the truth!

Lord, keep me turned away from false knowledge but loving the one who is deceived!

Scripture for Today: Romans 15:13  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

These tiny newborn birds have their mouths open wide in anticipation of the next morsel of food from their mother.  These little birds are so new that their eyes have not yet opened.  They cannot see their mother but they sense she is there.  They have no choice in the menu but seem confident enough to eat and swallow without question what the mother provides.  Theirs is a blind trust.

Today’s verse describes the joy and peace that is ours when we trust the One who is totally trustworthy! When we trust His provision we overflow with hope. This hope comes through the power of His Holy Spirit. It may sometimes seem like a “blind trust” as we cannot understand the work of God completely (Eccl. 11:5). We do not see the path of the wind or how the bones are formed in the mother’s womb. There is so much we do not understand. Like these newborn fledglings, we trust our Heavenly Father without knowing all the details.

What is reassuring about my trust is that it is not really blind. I know the One in whom I place my trust and that makes all the difference! When I cannot understand what He is doing, I can still trust that He will be true to His character: loving, good, faithful and true. I can trust that He will be true to His Word.  He is never random or capricious. I can open my mouth wide to receive whatever it is He has in store for me.

Thank you Lord, for the joy and peace that comes from trusting You.

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2014.)

Scripture for Today: Psalm 92:12 “The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree. He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.”

This is not normally how I think of a palm tree! Palm trees are usually associated with warm balmy climates. And mild weather is usually the norm for Marseilles, France where this picture was taken. But a cold snap surprised this palm and it sags under the weight of the snow. Soon I will be traveling and speaking on the East Coast where I will feel like this palm. The cold weather and snow will be a shock to this pampered “palm” from Southern California!

Today’s verse describes the righteous as flourishing like a palm tree, regardless of the weather. The righteous one when planted in the house of the Lord, can expect healthy growth, flourishing in the courts of our God (verse 13). But we do not grow like the hardy palm tree when we are planted in the world. There the soil is toxic. And there the weather of changing morals is variable. We need to be rooted and grounded in the constants of His love and grace. When we are, we can enjoy His righteousness which comes from faith in Christ. (Rom.3:22)

That crisis in my life can feel just like a cold shock. My body stiffens and my eyes grow wide with it. But even when that unexpected cold front dumps snow on me I can still flourish because of Him. He keeps me strong and rooted. Because of His love and promises I can not only survive but thrive! I am in His courts and there is no better place to be! Better is one day there than a thousand elsewhere! (Psalm 84:10)

Keep me flourishing, Lord.  Keep me near You.