Living and Thriving in Exile: A SOAP Journal based on Daniel 1

S = Daniel 1:3-7, 17-21 

Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility, youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king's palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. The king assigned them a daily portion of the food that the king ate, and of the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years, and at the end of that time they were to stand before the king. Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego…

As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. At the end of the time, when the king had commanded that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king. And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom. And Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus.

O = These young men were taken as captives, part hostage and partially intended to be reeducated—fully accommodated to the culture and to serve as leaders within the Babylonian kingdom. They were renamed, by those in power, with names tied to the pagan deities of Babylon. Would they react with anger and bitterness towards their oppressors? No. With humble respect and tactful diplomacy they remained faithful to God and refused to become addicted to the food of the king. One way that ancient kings guaranteed loyalty was to get their court officials used to the lifestyle of living with access to the king’s table. They likely took the warning of Proverbs 23:1-3 to heart,

When you sit down to eat with a ruler,
    observe carefully what is before you,
and put a knife to your throat
    if you are given to appetite.
Do not desire his delicacies,
    for they are deceptive food.

While they learned all that the Babylonian culture required, their hearts remained devoted to YHWH, the One True God, and he blessed them with wisdom and influence better than all their peers.

A = First, I recognize my own tendency to try to shape others to fit into my world and to conform to my beliefs. I don’t want to be like the Babylonians in this regard. Second, I recognize my temptation to be so like those around me that I lose my “saltiness” (Matthew 5:13). I need to remain faithful to the Lord’s commands, always finding my identity in Christ (he names me in himself), rather than seeking the approval of popularity and power. Third, I need to make sure that I approach others, even my oppressors, with hard work, humility, and respect. Who knows what influence for Christ I might have as a result?

P = O Lord, may I long for you seek to serve in your kingdom more than I desire my earthly appetites to be filled. May the forgiveness I have received from you, flow forth to those that have offended me. May the hope I have in your presence and your return enable me to work with both integrity and with joy even in dark times and places. May others see your light in me and be drawn to it. Amen.

“Show Us…”: A SOAP Journal based on John 14

S = 14:1-11

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. ² In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. ⁴ And you know the way to where I am going.” ⁵ Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” ⁶ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

⁸ Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” ⁹ Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? ¹⁰ Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. ¹¹ Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.

O = Jesus had just been speaking to Peter about death and betrayal, now in this section he expanded his conversation to include all the disciples and spoke to their need, “Don’t be let your heart be troubled.” This is an interesting use of the plural “your” and the singular “heart”. Belief in this sense was a collective command for them, as a group, with one “heart” to believe in Jesus and the Father specifically in regards to his coming departure and promised return.
The phrase “many rooms/dwelling places/mansions” speaks into their cultural understanding that many generations of a family share the same house with each new generation building on another extension to the house. Jesus was going to prepare a place, by his death on the cross, for all who would be entering his family through placing their trust in him. In response there are two immediate requests:

1. Show us the way (Thomas)! To which Jesus responds, “I am the way…to know me is to know the Father.”
2. Show us the Father (Philip) To which Jesus responds, “…if you have seen me you have seen the Father.”

This whole section simply oozes the relationality within the Trinity as well as towards his people. That is a God I can believe in!

A = Do I implicitly trust Jesus to do what he has said he will do? There is no “bad cop” kind of divine unity behind the loving words of Jesus. I need to see more clearly than ever that when I wonder what the Father is like I am to look at Jesus. It is in Christ that we can see the Father and live…eternally. This week I am choosing to not allow troubling circumstances to shake my trust in Jesus’ faithfulness. He doesn’t promise me a smooth ride, just good company and a sweet destination. I also realize that I need to be in relationship with other believers as we wait, and work, together until Jesus returns…or we die and go to him. He has prepared a place for me, now he is preparing me for that place.

P = O Lord Jesus, I do believe in you, your Father, your promises, and your works. I ask that you would strengthen our heart together to love and trust you more every day. I ask for our families, friends, and acquaintances to put their trust in you as well, so that they might know you, and be a part of your eternal family. May we minister your encouragement to troubled hearts, as your Spirit leads us, this week. Amen.

Fan Into Flame: A SOAP Journal Based on 2 Timothy 1

S = 2 Timothy 1:1, 6-7, 8-9, 11
•    v.1 “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God…”

·         v. 6-7 “fan into flame the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

·         v. 8-9 “be not be ashamed…but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace.”

·         v. 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher which is why I suffer as I do.

O= When faced with suffering I need to be reminded how I got here, why I am here, and what resources I have available to me.

·         Paul was an apostle by God’s will…not his own power.

·         Timothy had been gifted by God…not by his own talents.

I wonder when I am tempted to give in to fear that what I do makes no difference in the kingdom, when I am tempted to become cynical about people and their motives and ability to change, when I am tempted to give in to my laundry list of subtle appetites that I can so easily forget the nature of the Spirit that God has given me (v.7).

It is by that Spirit…the Holy Spirit that enables me to trust, to love, and to obey—that I am to guard what good deposit has been entrusted to me. And not only to guard it, but to overcome any fear of discovery or ridicule to fan into flame that gifts he has placed in me that I might give others the benefit of light and heat in what might be dark and cold times. The church is not complete without every person stepping up to be whom God has called us to be…together (Ephesians 4:16; 1 Cor. 12:8-11)!

A= I am here because God put me here. I am called because of his purpose and grace, not my abilities. I am His not my own and it is for His glory not my own! So I am to embrace the suffering that may come—he is in it! I need to stop being afraid to be used of God. Just because others might have made fun of me for my love for Christ and my efforts at obedience is no reason for me to stop functioning as a part of the church body. What is the vision God has put on my heart? Am I walking in light of it or settling to sit in the corner and hope no one calls on me?

P= O Lord, thank you for your plan. Help me to follow you boldly, faithfully, in love and purity—empowered by your Spirit today!