Author: Brian Burdett

“So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.” – 2 Kings 5:14

Naaman was a powerful general from an enemy nation who suffered terrible leprosy. On the advice of a young girl taken by his army, he went to the prophet Elisha to be healed. But he didn’t like what Elisha told him. It was too simple. It cost him nothing. He couldn’t contribute anything to his healing. He just had to believe and obey. When told to go dip in the river Jordan seven times to be cleansed, Naaman became angry. He’d brought treasure to buy his healing. He expected a dramatic act of healing appropriate for a man of his rank and power. He expected to have to work for his healing.

All that would have been fine with him. But to just believe the strange teaching of God’s prophet and obey it? That he couldn’t handle. He rejected Elisha’s words and planned to return to Damascus. Fortunately, his fellow travelers convinced him that if he was prepared to do hard things for his healing, then he should do the simple thing – believe Elisha and obey what he said. And it worked! He was instantly and completely healed. Not because the river had special powers but because God graciously cleansed Naaman when he believed with faith that resulted in obedience.

The healing of General Naaman of Aram is a picture of God’s amazing grace given through faith in Jesus Christ. Naaman’s anger and resistance to the simplicity of it all is a picture of why many refuse and recoil from God’s grace. Like Naaman, there’s nothing we can do to earn or buy our salvation from sin. We can’t do anything to make ourselves clean before the Lord. We can’t pay for it or contribute anything toward it. Jesus did everything for us when He stepped out of eternal glory and into the world, lived a perfect life without any sin, sacrificed Himself on a cross to pay the penalty for our sin, died, and rose from the dead. Because of what Jesus did, all we must do is believe that He is the risen Lord of our life with faith that leads to obedience to Him.

For many people, our complete dependence on God’s grace is too easy. Too uncomfortable. Our treasures don’t help. We can’t contribute anything to our salvation. This offends the sensibilities of many, because we naturally want to fix ourselves. For these reasons, many refuse God’s gracious offer of eternal life in Jesus Christ. Try to persuade them to see reason, as Naaman’s associates did. If they’re willing to do hard things to try and save themselves, pray for them to submit to the humiliation of just depending on God’s grace for salvation. There’s no alternative! #FollowJesus

“Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his saints.”
– Psalm 116:15

What a beautiful truth! God treasures the life of His people so much that even our passing into His presence is meaningful and precious to Him. In our limited understanding of the Lord, it would be easy to assume God doesn’t particularly care about our death. After all, the moment we pass, our soul enters into God’s presence if Jesus is our Lord. And yet, God still mourns our death. Why would this be true?

Because death isn’t natural! Death wasn’t part of God’s good design for Creation. We were never meant to die. Death entered the world because of human sin. Because of sin, precious bearers of God’s image must endure death en route to eternal life with God. This wasn’t how God meant things to be and it grieves Him. Even though we’re washed clean of our sins by the work of Jesus on the cross, our death is a vile reminder of sin’s terrible corruption of God’s good Creation.

And so, it’s a beautiful thing that Jesus wept at Lazarus’ tomb before raising Him to life. It’s a beautiful thing that your life in Christ is so treasured by God that He will grieve your death as something you were never made to endure. That’s how deeply your God loves you! #FollowJesus

“And the kingdom and the dominion
and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven
shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High;
his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom,
and all dominions shall serve and obey him.”
– Daniel 7:27

As is emphasized throughout the book of Daniel, God is ALWAYS in control. Even when fearsome and powerful empires reign and rage, God is in control. Even when terrible kings and demonic emperors persecute God’s people, God is always in control. Earthly powers, no matter how powerful they seem to be, only have a limited time to do their evil deeds. They will each end. Eventually, they will all end and their power will go to God’s people.

The day will come when King Jesus returns to visibly rule over all the earth. His kingdom will never end. It will be a kingdom of justice, righteousness, and holiness. Every knee will bow to Him, whether they want to or not. His people will bow joyfully. Everyone else will also bow, but for other reasons. His followers will reign alongside Him as we serve Him with delight in a world that’s been renewed and lacks any cursed thing.

So, as is always true, hold firmly to your faith, even when times are hard. Better days are ahead and they will never end. When will Jesus return? Anyone who says they know is lying. Llive a life that’s always prepared for your Lord’s return and you will have no regrets. #FollowJesus

“Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him.” – Daniel 6:4

Daniel sets an excellent example for all of God’s people when we’re in the workplace. What was said about Daniel should always be true for followers of Jesus whenever we’re on the job. Because Jesus is our Lord, wherever we work, we should be completely faithful, responsible, trustworthy, hardworking, and competent. In Colossians 3, we’re commanded to work every job as if Jesus were our boss.

That’s true whether it’s a secular job in the marketplace or religious work in the church. That’s true whether you have a good boss, a terrible boss, or are the boss. That’s true whether the work is interesting or dreadful. That’s true whether you’re in a high position or low one. That’s true whether you love your job or hate it. That’s true whether you’re hoping to work there for many more years or planning to quit tomorrow. Whatever your work is, you’re working there as a representative and ambassador of Jesus Christ. The quality of your work and your effort must always reflect that.

Be careful to always work in a manner that brings Jesus honor and glory. Do your best, even if it isn’t required. Give a complete effort, even if others aren’t. Be responsible, even if you don’t want to be. Let people see the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life as you work, especially when the situation isn’t good. Always be bold and honest about why you work as you do – because you love your Lord Jesus, Who is always your real boss. #FollowJesus

“He was driven from among the children of mankind, and his mind was made like that of a beast, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, until he knew that the Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom he will.” – Daniel 5:21

The sovereignty of God includes the appointment of kings, emperors, presidents, and prime ministers. Whether they are good or evil, godly or demonic, there are no accidents. Daniel, Peter, and Paul are all emphatic on this point. As followers of Jesus, we may not understand why God has placed a particular person in power, particularly if they’re wicked or persecute the church. Nonetheless, we must trust that God has put them there for His purposes which are often beyond our comprehension.

The Bible teaches us how to respond to the leaders placed over us, including when we find them detestable:

– First and foremost, we are to pray for them (1 Timothy 2:2). That should include praying for their salvation, wisdom, for their character or policies to change to align to Christ’s, for favor toward believers, and for well-being.

– We are to live quiet lives of faithfulness to Jesus (1 Peter 3). This is particularly important if those leaders persecute the church. Never compromise your faith, but seek to live a quiet life out of the spotlight and filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

– We are to serve with Christ-like integrity if called upon (Daniel 5). Never compromise or hide your faith, but if called, serve for God’s glory.

– We must respect and submit to our earthly leaders, even if they aren’t worthy of it (Romans 13). That must never take priority over your obedience to Christ, Who is our ultimate leader. If there’s a conflict, you must always obey Jesus. However, if there is no conflict, you have no choice but to also honor God’s sovereign placement of a particular leader in a particular position at a particular time for His particular purpose. #FollowJesus