High-Risk Performers
Today’s Verse:
...But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many.... ~Daniel 11:32b-33a
Daniel 11 is a dual prophecy about Antiochus Epiphanes and the coming Antichrist, also known as the Beast. Antiochus was a very powerful and wicked man. He caused much havoc with the Jews and their temple, and he desecrated their sacrifices. He is a picture of the Antichrist, who corrupts, confounds, and conquers. However, our devotion this morning centers on a valiant people. I call these people “high-risk performers.” They are like rescuers who take on extremely high risks in making rescue attempts. They are like our special forces who go to extremes in high-risk operations. God is calling out some men and women to say "no" to danger and "yes" to God.
We see the company.
“But the people that do know their God....” This is speaking about saved people: those who have repented of their sin and have placed their faith and trust in our Lord Jesus Christ for their salvation. They are not only saved, but they have set themselves apart unashamedly as servants of the Lord. They are bold in their faith. They are like Peter and John who said, “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” They know that they must obey God rather than man. They are not casual in faith, but they have strong biblical convictions.
We see the courage.
In the case of Antiochus, the Lord raised up Judas Maccabeus, and a number of Jews courageously took a stand against Antiochus and his militia. It cost some of these Jews their lives, but they let it be known that they would not stand down for the blasphemous actions of this pagan. Every generation faces challenges that requires it to take a stand. The closer your walk with God, the greater the courage and stand you will take. We must be like Phinehas, who took a stand against a Jewish man who brought immorality into Israel, or like Elijah, who took on the 850 prophets of Baal by himself. Be strong in our Lord.
We see the capacity.
These are people of faith. They know that without faith, it is impossible to please God. These are people of prayer. They know how to get a hold of God. They are high-risk performers. They are missionaries who are willing to travel to an area of the world where the gospel has not been preached and face hostility for the advancement of the gospel. They are church planters who go to the inner city to reach crime-infested areas with the gospel. They are Christians who face their unsaved relatives and do what they can to reach them with the gospel. They are Christians with great capacity for the Lord.
We see the conversions.
“And they that understand among the people shall instruct many.…” They help bring unbelievers to the Lord. They lovingly and patiently try to reach many lives with the saving gospel of Christ. Their persistence results in people getting saved and experiencing the transformational power of our Lord Jesus. Jesus said that we should be fishers of men. He also said that we should bring forth much fruit. The psalmist said that when we sow the gospel seed, we will bring back our sheaves. Like in Daniel 11:33, we shall instruct many. The more we draw near to God, the greater the intensity of our burden for reaching large numbers of people for salvation. It involves high risk, but the bountiful results are worth it. Let’s exercise faith, step out in faith, and believe God for souls to come to Christ.
Have a faith-powered God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Proverbs 24-26