would involve “something to do with the law of his God” (Daniel 6:5b). So they convinced the pagan Darius to decree that for thirty days everyone was prohibited from praying to any god or man, except to the emperor. Daniel, of course, still trustworthy, a man of integrity, could not do this, and he continued to pray regularly to the God of heaven. And his windows were open; he could be seen. The windows were not open to defy anyone, but to continue Daniel’s prayers to God as he had always done.
Daniel had to go to the lion’s den although the king did everything he could to prevent it. God closed the mouths of the lions, and Daniel came out unscathed . . . to resume his responsibilities.
Daniel, a man of God, a man of absolute integrity, no matter what it cost—he was a hero and a man who has greatly influenced succeeding generations.
Targets
February 24
The story is told of a young girl who, shortly after the end of World War II when target practice with a rifle was still in vogue, decided to try it. After the girl had fired a number of rounds, her instructor stopped her and said, “Young woman, you are coming perilously close to that light bulb.” (A lamp was hanging some distance above the target.)
“Why,” was the girl’s simple response, “that’s what I have been trying to hit.”
This incident might be seen as a kind of parable describing our world. Actually, the young girl’s aim was not really the problem, but the problem was that she didn’t know what or where the target was.
Many people of today are firing off in multiple directions in life, seemingly oblivious as to what or where the target or goal of life is. And what is worse—not bothering to ask the Instructor.
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, sums up perfectly his version of life’s goal or target. His was a marvelous target, and his aim was good. He says:
I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal [or target] to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:10–14).
Paul places his faith completely in Jesus Christ, and hand in hand with Christ, he finds that the target or goal God has set for him is now within reach. He is going to keep pressing on, sure of reaching it.
A fine example for any who find himself shooting at light bulbs.
Work to Do
February 25
In the battle of life, stalemate is an all—too—prevalent state of affairs. In chess, a stalemate is a situation that results in a drawn game. No one can move effectively. The game has come to a standstill. So does life for some.
Paul had a sort of soliloquy in writing the early part of his letter to the Philippians. Like others, this letter was written while Paul was in prison—chained like a common criminal. Although he had enjoyed a fruitful life, it had not been easy—marked as it was by beatings, stonings, shipwrecks, incarcerations, and sometimes even the opposition of his friends. He could well have felt by that time that it was someone else’s turn. I’m sure all of these thoughts were passing through his mind as he wrote:
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith (Philippians 1:21–25).
Some of us may feel that we don’t have any more to offer. We’ve reached a kind of stalemate. Actually, we have quite a bit to contribute to the oncoming generations. We lived in the world where marriage and the family were cherished, where good manners and courtesy were esteemed, and where violence was decried. We can do as the Lord revealed to Jeremiah: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it” (Jeremiah 6:16a,b). Or we can simply tell it quietly to a younger friend.
There is still work to do.
Discipleship
February 26
Living a disciplined life can at times be difficult. In fact, when it comes right down to it, many of us don’t like discipline, whether it comes from the outside or from within. Sometimes we even resent discipline. Indeed, looking back on our childhood, we can easily relate to the words of the book of Proverbs: “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction! I would not obey my teachers or listen to my instructors” (Proverbs 5:12–13).
As we get a little older, we realize the value of the discipline we have received . . . a guide in the daily round of life. Solomon sets the theme of the remarkable book of Proverbs in chapter one, verses two and three: “For attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair.”
Have you ever thought that the word disciple comes from the same root as discipline? A disciple is a man or woman under the discipline of a master. You and I have the opportunity and privilege of being disciples of the greatest Master of all, Jesus. Jesus put it this way: “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31–32). The proof of that discipleship is our love for one another. Jesus said again: “All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”
Real Steeple chasing
February 27
Have you gone steeplechasing recently? The question is in reference to the spiritual kind. There is an actual organized sport called “steeple chasing” that involves horse and rider racing over a set turf course, jumping over barriers and water hazards along the way. Originally, steeplechasing involved real church steeples, with people on horseback racing across open fields and farmlands and the steeples of the churches used as markers for the races.
Someone has called steeples “fingers pointed toward heaven,” and it is significant that from the earliest times, church builders called for this strong vertical feature. As well as giving monumental character to a church building, many steeples contain the church bell that calls the congregation to worship and to prayer. In days gone by, especially in rural areas, the steeple was often the highest point in a community and signified the spiritual home of a community.
Nowadays, church steeples in an urban setting are likely to be dwarfed by the more modern commercial buildings, especially the skyscrapers. That’s a pity and suggests that the interests of commerce, sports, and pleasure have become all important in our society. And all the while our culture is on the downward slide. Perhaps it’s time for the world to look again to the steeple. As the writer of the book of Hebrews puts it: “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another” (Hebrews 10:25a).
Time again for real “steeplechasing.”
