(Audio)
They suppressed their consciences; they would not allow their eyes to look to heaven, and did not keep in mind just judgments.
We know there is a problem when we are no longer comfortable looking to heaven. If we cease to pray because the dissonance between the way we're living and God's just judgments is too great we ought to realize that something has gone wrong. When we judge alone apart from God we are unnecessarily exposing ourselves to the risk of self-deception.
Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone that judge, but I and he who sent me.
Instead of turning away from heaven to our own judgments let us turn toward the Father. For us this means turning first to Jesus.
You know neither me nor my Father; if you knew me, you would know my Father also.
This is why Jesus is the light of the world. This is how he keeps those who follow him from the paths of darkness. It is the truth of just judgments and knowledge of the Father that Jesus makes available to us.
God stirred up the holy spirit of a young boy named Daniel
The light shining in our lives will move us to desire God's salvation for all people. We will be stirred up and unable to resist doing what we can, even if we're young and the judges are old and respected. God is no respecter of persons (see Acts 10:34) in that sense. Instead he delights to save all who hope in him. He brings the truth of his saving plan to light in the light which his presence itself shines forth.
The whole assembly cried aloud, blessing God who saves those that hope in him.
There is only one way we will make it safely through the valley of the shadow of death. The way is Jesus, because he is also the light of the world, and true life itself. Let us rejoice in his light as we follow him today.
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