Sometime after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, Jesus walked into the Temple to cleanse it. He did not enter quietly. He not only disrupted the buying and selling, He disrupted how the people approached God and how they maintained their right standing with Him.

            The Temple had become a place of exchange. For a temporary sense of peace, those who came paid something, received something, offered something. The Temple had developed into a marketplace, not just in reality, but in the minds of the people. Because of that, they related to God through exchange, rather than through relationship.

            Jesus didn’t come to make the system better. He came to finish it. He was telling the people God couldn’t be approached through negotiation. Every sacrifice offered in the Temple pointed to something greater that had not yet been completed. Think about the significance of the event. The One standing there amidst the overturned tables was the fulfillment of everything the system  pointed to.

            Jesus knew the cross was days away, and that His shed blood would accomplish what no sacrifice in the Temple ever could. “Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest (Jesus) had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God...” (Hebrews 10:11-12 NIV).

            Jesus demonstrated He would become the new Temple, and turn His followers into carriers of the presence of God. “Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own...” (1 Corinthians 6:19 AMPC).

            Right in front of the people, Jesus confronted the system they trusted in to provide access to God. He made them uncomfortable. But he wanted them to see the reality that what could not produce life or secure access was about to be replaced by the true life that only He could bring. He’d already told them,  “...I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6 AMP).

            Jesus walked through the week before Resurrection Sunday with intentionality because He saw the cross clearly before Him. He was moving toward what He was coming to complete. “...(Jesus) saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him. Then he received the highest position in heaven, the one next to the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2 NOG).

            Although He unsettled the people by removing the familiar, He was not removing their hope, but taking away what never could fulfill it. He walked toward the cross with certainty, knowing all it would accomplish. That is why our salvation is based on completion. It is not dependent on what we maintain, but on what Jesus finished.

            As believers in Jesus, our salvation is not fragile. It is secured with His precious Blood and finished work on the cross.

        Although I have written about the power of our words before, I feel an unction from the Holy Spirit to speak about the subject again. In Job 22:28 (MEV) we read, “You will also declare a matter, and it will be established unto you; and the light will shine upon your ways.” What are we declaring?
           
      In Genesis 1, we see the first recorded demonstration of powerful words when God said, “’Light!’ And light appeared” (Genesis 1:3 MSG). Throughout the account of creation, “God said” is repeated numerous times. Creation responded to God’s Word.

       Of Jesus, the Scriptures say, “God’s Son has all the brightness of God’s own glory and is like him in every way. By his own mighty word, he holds the universe together” (Hebrews 1:3 CEV). Think about that. Without the sustaining Word of God, the universe would disband.

      What about our words? Our “words are so powerful that they will kill or give life, and the talkative person will reap the consequences” (Proverbs 18:21 TPT). Our words produce fruit for either life or death.

      What about the words we hear? The words we hear shape our thinking and influence the direction we take in life. If we hear from childhood we are useless and will never accomplish anything, that will likely be the result. On the other hand, if we are told God loves us, has a wonderful plan for our lives, and will empower us in all our endeavours, our lives will be influenced to flow in a positive direction.
         
​        Our words are like seeds. What are we sowing with our tongues - gossip, slander, hate-filled words, which bring death, or hopeful, pure, and love-filled words, which bring life? “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:18).

        Let’s fill our mouths with the Word of God. “And my tongue shall talk of your righteousness, rightness, and justice, and of [my reasons for] Your praise all the day long” (Psalm 35:28 AMPC). “May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous” (Psalm 119:172).

       Today, dear Lord Jesus, help each one of us to choose words which release life to those around us, strengthen their faith, and reflect the image of the God who created us. In the precious Name of Jesus, Amen.

        I recently read an article stating that we as Christians are often tempted to put ourselves in a box, a box of comfort, compromise, and cultural acceptance. The statement made me think of the three young Hebrew men in Daniel 3 – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar from Jerusalem to Babylon, they were placed in the most advanced and influential city of their time.

            The three men had been taught to serve the one true God. In the midst of Babylon’s wealth and cultural power, they determined not to defile themselves with the world’s offerings. God shaped their values, not culture.

         We read in Daniel 3 that King Nebuchadnezzar erected a massive statue. He ordered all people to bow down and worship the image, or be thrown into a fiery furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down. Their allegiance was to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

            What is interesting is that at the time of this occurrence, these young men had been living in Babylon for three to five years. They were not slaves. They served the king and lived privileged lives, enjoying favour, comfort, and respect.

            Yet when push came to shove, they refused to bow down to any god but the one true God. They did not conform to the culture. They upheld their values, no matter the cost.

            And there was a cost. You know the story. They were thrown into the fiery furnace, heated seven times hotter than usual. But before this happened, Nebuchadnezzar gave them an opportunity to change their minds and obey his command.

            What was their answer to renege on their beliefs? “...O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you, If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up” (Daniel 3:16-18 NLT, bolding mine).

            If you were in the place of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, what would you have done? What would I have done? I’ve asked myself that question a number of times. Would I say, “it’s only a statue?” “We know idols mean nothing?” “Everyone else is doing it?” “I’ll just bow down a little bit with my body, but in my head, I’ll be standing?”
            Have we, as believers, allowed the culture to shape our values instead of standing strong so our values affect the culture? Has that which was once sacred, rooted in the Kingdom of God, become relative? Have things which were once honoured become optional and the holy profane?

            Isaiah gave a warning regarding this. “It is bad for those who call what is sinful good, and good sinful, who say dark is light and light is dark, who make bitter sweet, and sweet bitter!”
(Isaiah 5:20 NLV).

            Today, more than ever, we need the holy courage of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to stand against the tsunami of our progressively wicked culture. May we allow the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to restructure our values so they align with His.
 
Inspiration for this article was provided by Pastor Bill of Faithworks Centre, North Wiltshire, PEI

 
            God’s Word is the story of allegiance to God versus rebellion against Him.

        “But if you don't want to worship the Lord, then choose here and now! Will you worship the same idols your ancestors did? Or since you're living on land that once belonged to the Amorites, maybe you'll worship their gods. I won't. My family and I are going to worship and obey the Lord!” Joshua 24:15 (CEV).

        “The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” (Genesis 3:1 NLT).

        “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it” Genesis 3:6 (NIV).

             God’s Word is the story of kingdom versus kingdom.

        “Jesus said, ‘My kingdom does not belong to this world. If it did, my disciples would have fought for me. They would have fought so that the Jewish leaders could not take hold of me. No, my kingdom belongs to another place’” (John 18:36 EASY).

           “But when I force out demons by the power of God's Spirit, it proves that God's
kingdom has already come to you” (Matthew 12:28 CEV).

            God’s Word is the story of seed versus seed.
Then the Lord God said to the serpent,
“Because you have done this, you are cursed
    more than all animals, domestic and wild.
You will crawl on your belly,
    groveling in the dust as long as you live.
 And I will cause hostility between you and the woman,
    and between your offspring and her offspring.
He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:14-15 (NLT)
 
        "Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, 'And to seeds,' as of many, but as of one, 'And to your Seed,' who is Christ" (Galatians 3:16 NKJV).

          God’s Word is the story of authority challenged and authority restored.

        “How dare the nations plan a rebellion. Their foolish plots are futile! Look at how the power brokers of the world rise up to hold their summit as the rulers scheme and confer together against YAHWEH and his Anointed King, saying: ‘Let’s come together and break away from the Creator. Once and for all let’s cast off these controlling chains of God and of his Christ!’” (Psalm 2:1-3 TPT).

      “...Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns!...then I saw heaven opened, and suddenly a white horse appeared. The name of the one riding it was Faithful and True, and with pure righteousness he judges and rides to battle...He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title is called the Word of God” (Revelation 19:6,11,13 TPT).

        Paul did not mince words about the reality of spiritual warfare.

       “For our fight is not against any physical enemy: it is against organisations and powers that are spiritual. We are up against the unseen power that controls this dark world, and spiritual agents from the very headquarters of evil” (Ephesians 6:12 Phillips).

        What are we to do? Armour-up!

      “Take your stand then with truth as your belt, righteousness your breastplate, the Gospel of peace firmly on your feet, salvation as your helmet and in your hand the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Above all be sure you take faith as your shield, for it can quench every burning missile the enemy hurls at you. Pray at all times...” (Ephesians 6:13 Phillips).

       Yes, we are presently in a battle. And as we wait for the Lord’s return, we need to follow Peter’s advice. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith...” (1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV).

       But always remember – as believers in Jesus, we’re on the winning side.
​
      “Yet even in the midst of all these things, we triumph over them all, for God has made us to be more than conquerors, and his demonstrated love is our glorious victory over everything! (Romans 8:37 TPT).

 
        To the church in Pergamum, the Apostle John wrote, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it” (Revelation 2:17).

       There are two words in Greek for “new”. One is “neos”, which means new in time, recent, young. The other is “kainos”, which means new in nature, new in kind, recreated, reclassified. The Book of Revelation uses kainos many times – new heavens, new earth, new Jerusalem, new song, new name.

          Kainos is not an improved version of the old, or an upgrade, or replacement. In Christ, we are not our old selves patched up; we are completely remade. “Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation ( a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold,  the fresh and new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 AMPC).

       What does the white stone mean? First century ears would have thought of three things – courtroom, temple, and covenant. In ancient courts, a white stone meant acquittal, not guilty, fully cleared, the case is closed.

        A black stone meant condemnation.

     If we are in Christ, Heaven has declared us “not guilty” and righteous. “He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness]” (2 Corinthians 5:21 AMP).

       In Christ, we are pardoned and renamed.

   White stones were also used as admission tokens to feasts, assemblies, to sacred spaces. Entrance to sacred spaces gives access to hidden manna, to priestly food, to temple provision, and covenant access.

     We are not just spared from judgment, but are invited inside to the feast, the sanctuary, and into His glorious Presence. “For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as [to beam forth] the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God [as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed] in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah)” (2 Corinthians 4:6 AMPC).

     And the new name on the white stone? In Scripture, secret names belong to marriage and kingship. “No more will anyone call you Rejected, and your country will no more be called Ruined. You’ll be called Hephzibah (My Delight), and your land Beulah (Married), Because God delights in you and your land will be like a wedding celebration” (Isaiah 62:4 MSG).

       God is Jehovah Shalom (the Lord is our Peace), Jehovah Sitkanu (The Lord our Righteousness), and Jehovah Rah (The Lord our Shepherd). These are only a few of His many majestic names.

      New names refer to identity, function, authority, and calling. Abram became Abraham, Jacob became Israel, Simon became Peter.

      The promise of the new name is given to the one who conquers, not to the passive, disengaged, spiritually sedentary. What does it mean to conquer? It means to be faithful under pressure, to obey when compromise is easier, to be a faithful witness, even to our own detriment.

     We receive the new name, not because we are impressive, but because we are faithful. In this topsy-turvy, chaotic world, may we as believers in Yeshua be “strong in the Lord [be empowered through (our) union with Him]; draw (our) strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]” (Ephesians 6:10 AMPC), and go forth in victory.

       
            As we embark on 2026, it behooves us to examine our hearts. Paul told us that "...a person must [prayerfully] examine himself [and his relationship to Christ], and only when he has done so eat of the bread and drink of the cup" (1 Corinthians 11:28 AMP).

            One of the ways to examine our hearts is to ask ourselves what we treasure. Jesus told His disciples, "Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or - worse! - stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being" (Matthew 6:19-21 MSG).

        Each of us must ask the question - what do I treasure? What does my mind naturally gravitate to? What do I spend my time on? My money? Our heart follows whatever we treasure.

        Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven is like a [very precious] treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid again; then in his joy he goes and sells all he has and buys that field [securing the treasure for himself]" (Matthew 13:44 AMP).

        The man considered everything he owned worthless compared to the treasure. I recently read an account of a Hindu family living in the Himalayas. One of the daughters received "The Book of Hope", which is a Bible in consensed form for children. Through reading it, she accepted Jesus as her Saviour. Everyone in her family, except her father, came to know Jesus, and began attending a local church.

        The father was so enraged, he decided to burn his whole family alive. He tied everyone up. Just as he was about to light the fire, a man from the church arrived. He stopped the father from committing the heinous crime, and even led him to the Lord.

        That family's treasure was Jesus. They didn't renouce their faith to save their lives. They were willing to give their lives, "everything they had," to "purchase" the treasure of Jesus.

        The Apostle Paul wrote, "For no one is empowered to lay an alternative foundation other than the good foundation that exists, which is Jesus Christ! The quality of materials used by anyone building on this foundation will soon be made apparent, whether it has been built with gold, silver, and costly stones, or wood, hay, and straw. Their work will soon become evident, for the Day will make it clear, because it will be revealed by blazing fire! And the fire will test and prove the workmanship of each builder." (1 Corinthians 3:11-13 TPT).

        I want to do here on earth that which will last for eternity. 

        The man who found the treasure in the field was joyful. It wasn't a struggle for him to sell all he had. He wanted to do it - it was the best day of his life.

        God has given us the ability to choose what we treasure. He knows He will find our heart wherever our treasure is. His heart's desire is for us to make Him our treasure. Dear Lord Jesus, in this new year of 2026, and in all future years, help us to choose wisely what our hearts seek after.

​        

       

        As born again believers, our desire is to hear the voice of God. It is incredible to realize the God who created the universe wants to have a relationship with us and to speak to us. But often we wonder, whose voice am I hearing? Is it the voice of God , my own voice, the voice of the world, or even the voice of satan? The following are five characteristics of God's voice.

1. Authorative
       Jesus spoke with authority. "...He was in the synagogue teaching on the Sabbath, and as before, the people were entrhalled by His words. He had a way of saying things - a special uthority, a unique power" (Luke 4:32 VOICE).

      In Mark 4, when Jesus calmed the storm, He did it with authority. The Greek word used is phimotheti, which literally means, "be muzzled".

      "I am God, the only God...incomparable, irreplaceable-From the very beginning telling you what the ending will be, All along letting you in on what is going to happen, Assuring you, 'I'm in this for the long haul, I'll do exactly what I set out to do'" (Isaiah 46:10 MSG).

2. Scriptural
     God's voice rings throughout the pages of Scripture, for He is the author. If the voice we hear contradicts God's Word, it is not from God.

     "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

3. Relational
     God's desire is to have a relationship with us. Adam and Eve lost relationship with God when they heeded the lies of satan and bowed their knee to him. Jesus came to earth to restore our relationship with the heavenly Father. When He cried on the cross, "it is finished", the veil to the Holy of Holies in the Temple was torn in two.
 
     "Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]" (Hebrews 4:16 AMPC).

4. Convicting

     God's voice through His Word convicts us of our sin and draws us to repentance. His voice does not dondemn or shame:that is the voice of satan. God speaks words of life and not death.

    "Or do you have no regard for the wealth of His kindness and tolerance and patience [in withholding His wrath]?. Are you [actually] unaware or ignorant [of the fact] that God's kindness leads you to repentance [that is, to change your inner self, your old way of thinking-seek His purpose for your life]?" (Romans 2:4 AMP).

5. Discernable

     God has promised those who know Him will hear His voice. He has given us His Holy Spirit to help us with this task.

     "The sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won't follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don't know his voice" (John 10:3-5).

     "My sheep respond as they hear My voice; I know them intimately, and they follow Me" (John 10:27 VOICE).

     In conclusion, God speaks and we can hear His voice. And His voice will always lead us into truth. "When the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into the full truth. He won't speak on his own. He will speak what he hears and will tell you about things to come" (John 16:13 NOG).

Inspiration provided by Nancy Taylor, "Ten Characteristics of God's Voice", February 10 2018
     

        

            Ephesians 2:6 is an amazing verse. It says, “He raised us up with Christ the exalted One, and we ascended with him into the glorious perfection and authority of the heavenly realm, for we are now co-seated as one with Christ” (TPT).

            Did you catch that? Not when we get to Heaven, but NOW! we are co-seated with Christ in the perfection and authority of the heavenly realm.

            To ascend means to climb, to go upward, to go from an inferior place to a superior place. “He gives power to the tired and worn out, and strength to the weak. Even the youths shall be exhausted, and the young men will all give up. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:29-31).

            In the above verse, the Hebrew word for “mount up” is “alah”, which means “to go up”, “to ascend,” or “to rise to a higher level”. When we see ourselves ascended with Jesus in the heavenly realm, we renew our strength. We receive what we need for this life here on earth.

            In Revelation 4:1-2, John was commanded to come up to heaven. “After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard...said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.’  At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it” (NIV).
​
            The Apostle John was called up to heaven, received God’s message about the future, and brought it back to earth by writing the book of Revelation under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

            Likewise, by building ourselves up in our most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 20-21), we can ascend into the heavenly realms and bring the resources of heaven to earth. This was the will of Jesus, for He prayed, “Manifest your kingdom realm, and cause your every purpose to be fulfilled on earth, just as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10 TPT).

            Philippians 3:20 (VOICE) says we are citizens of the kingdom of heaven. “But we are citizens of heaven, exiles on earth waiting eagerly for a Liberator, our Lord Jesus the Anointed...” A citizen is a person who legally belongs to a country and has the rights, protection, and privileges of that country.
            As Philippians 3:20 states, heaven is our home. We are only sojourners here on earth – temporary residents staying for a period of time.

            And what are the rights and privileges available to us from our home country, from heaven? There are many, but here are a few - wisdom and understanding for every situation we face, healing for our bodies, deliverance from demonic oppression, every provision we could ever need, and the peace and Presence of God.

           Through worship, prayer, praise, and building ourselves up in our most holy faith, let us ascend into our heavenly home, where Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father, and receive from Him everything we need for our life here on earth.

         In the renewable energy sector in Germany, when the wind doesn’t blow, it’s called dunkelflaute–a period of “dark doldrums” with little or no wind and heavy cloud cover. At these times, meagre or no energy can be generated.

            During ancient times, ships sailing the seas of the world faced the same challenges. They were “becalmed”–unable to move due to lack of wind. During Roman times, crews on ships sailing the Mediterranean, dependent on wind and current, sometimes had to wait for days, or even weeks for a breeze. Although smaller vessels could use oars, the travel in this fashion was slow and exhausting.

            Today, in the modern world, wind provides renewable energy, assists with seed dispersal and pollination, regulates weather, and creates diverse forest landscapes. Without it, many things come to a standstill.

            The physical world is a mirror of the spiritual world. Without the wind of the Holy Spirit, there is no energy or movement to propel us forward spiritually. Jesus said, “the wind blows where it likes, you can hear the sound of it but you have no idea where it comes from and where it goes. Nor can you tell how a man is born by the wind of the Spirit” (John 3:8 Phillips).

            We can’t deny the presence of the wind when trees sway and rain is driven sideways. Likewise, we can’t deny the work of the Holy Spirit when lives, formerly hostile to God, are transformed by the saving grace of Jesus. Or when we see the gifts of the Holy Spirit operating, bringing blessing to those who yield to His power.

            Is the wind of the Holy Spirit blowing in your life? If it isn’t, our Christian walk can become slow and tedious, even motionless, going nowhere. But take heart. There’s good news. The wind of the Spirit is always blowing. The question is, how do we raise our sails?

            Firstly, we need to acknowledge and repent of our sins. God fills repentant hearts. “People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy” (Proverbs 28:13 NLT).

            Secondly, we need a continual infilling of the Holy Spirit. It is a daily process, not a single event. “Stop getting drunk with wine, which leads to wild living, but keep on being filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18 ISV).

            Thirdly, our minds require daily renewal through God’s Word. “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2 NLT).
​
            Fourthly, experiencing the fullness of the Holy Spirit necessitates a life of submission. “Now yield and submit yourself to Him [agree with God and be conformed to His will] and be at peace; In this way [you will prosper and great] good will come to you” (Job 22:21 AMP). Submission brings blessing.
            The Holy Spirit is always moving. Hoist your sails and catch His wind now.
 
Inspiration for this article was provided by Pastor Bill at Faithworks Centre outside of Charlottetown, PEI.

        “Take the old prophets as your mentors. They put up with anything, went through everything, and never once quit, all the time honoring God. What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You’ve heard, of course, of Job’s staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That’s because God cares, cares right down to the last detail” (James 5:11 MSG).

        Staying the course, persevering, not giving up, standing in faith, unwavering. In the midst of trials, temptations, and disappointments, perseverance is often easier said than done.

        When I think of perseverance, two Old Testament characters come to my mind – Noah and Daniel. Let’s look at each of them a bit more closely.

NOAH

        In his second epistle, Peter calls Noah a “preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5). The writer to the Hebrews wrote that “by faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith” (Hebrews 11:7 NASB).

        Jesus referred to the days of Noah when He talked about His return. “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came and destroyed them all” (Luke 17:26-27 NLT).

      We don’t know how long it took Noah to build the ark. Some suggest 120 years based on Genesis 6:3 – “Then Jehovah said, ‘My Spirit must not forever be disgraced in man, wholly evil as he is. I will give him 120 years to mend his ways” (TLB).

      Based on the size of the ark, it had to take a long time to build. And all that time, Noah preached, day after day after day. And NO ONE heeded his warning. NO ONE repented. If anyone demonstrated perseverance, Noah did!

      Think how Noah’s heart must have ached. I’m sure friends, relatives, neighbours, acquaintances heard his preaching. But NONE of them paid attention. He could have become discouraged. He could have remained silent. He could have given up. But he didn’t.

      Because of Noah’s preaching, no one who was lost in the flood could say they didn’t have the opportunity to hear destruction was coming, and avail themselves of the safety of the ark.
 
 
DANIEL

        Daniel was a young man when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon captured Jerusalem and took him and members of other noble families and the royal family to Babylon. As an exile, everything familiar in Daniel’s life was gone.

        A worshiper of the one true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Daniel was given the name Belteshazzar, which means ‘Bel’s Prince’. Bel, which means “lord,” aka Marduk, was the patron deity of Babylon.

        The purpose of changing the names of Daniel and his three friends was to indoctrinate them into the religion and culture of Babylon. But even though the four young men had to answer to the names of foreign gods, they never forgot their allegiance to the one true God, Yahweh.

        We see their unwavering loyalty to Yahweh in their refusal to eat the king’s food,  bow down to Nebuchadnezzar’s gold statue, or pray to the king. In the face of fiery furnaces and hungry lions, they persevered.

     The Scripture never records that the four Hebrews ever felt sorry for themselves, or compromised, or allowed the Babylonian religion and culture to seep into their souls. Instead, they kept their eyes fixed on the living and true God, NEVER wavering. They lived by 2 Chronicles 15:7, “But as for you, be strong; don’t give up, for your work has a reward.”
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           Today, in light of those who have gone before us, let us do as the Apostle Paul admonished – to persevere, and “not grow tired of doing good, for, unless we throw in our hand, the ultimate harvest is assured” (Galatians 6:9 Phillips).