God’s expectations of Christians, and our declarations as Christian, become indivisible in This Is What We Are.
Redwoods once grew in vast California forests 500 miles long and 30 miles wide. God’s giant sentinels Coastal Redwoods grew 300 feet tall and 10 feet in diameter. Sequoia’s 200-250 feet tall and 25 feet in diameter. A 1914 St. Louis newspaper recorded the last of the passenger pigeons. In 1831 John Audubon and others estimated their number in the billions. Some flights took 10 hours to pass a particular place. Legends and Lore of Southern Illinois, 385 Creatures and features in creation change. To say nothing of businesses, alliances, interests and relationships. But God’s word DOES NOT change, so God’s people DARE NOT! When Israel and his 70 people came to Egypt at Pharaoh’s invitation, they had been shepherds for 200 years over four generations. However, though being shepherds identified their God-given occupation, it didn’t smooth their entrance into Egypt. How should they respond? Joseph settled the question, as Genesis 46:31-47:6 reveal: they should be honest, tell their REAL occupation and ask for residence in Goshen, land perfect for pasturage. In other words, tell Pharaoh, “This is what we are. This is what God has given us to be.” Some 1300 years later, and after erecting in Babylon a 90 foot high statue of a favorite god, Nebuchadnezzar commanded all his subjects to bow before it. Astrologers, jealous of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, accused them of refusing to bow. When brought before the king, and questioned, they replied: first, it was true they hadn’t bowed; second, they offered no apology for refusing; third, the Living God they served wouldn’t allow them to bow; fourth, if the king threw them into the blazing furnace, their God could protect them; fifth, whether he did or not, they weren’t going to bow before that 90 foot statue. That wasn’t what they were. They yielded allegiance only to the Living God. In other words, “This is what we are” Daniel 3. End Part I
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