Our God Is Able

Of all the heroes of faith in the entire Bible, I believe Joseph and Daniel are my two favorites. In the most dire circumstances, even facing death, they chose to believe in their God, Who they trusted to be all knowing (El Roi), ever present (Jehovah Shammah), all powerful (El Shadai), and all loving. Because they trusted in the God Who they knew had His eyes on them and knew all about their circumstances; Who had been, was and would be always with them, even in captivity and prison; Who was able to save and deliver completely and Who loved them unconditionally (even when they failed).

Although Daniel was a captive in a strange land, God gave him favor with those attending him. And by putting his life in danger, "Daniel purposed (determined) in his heart that he would not defile himself....." with the things with which his captors enticed him (Dan.1:8a). He stood in his faith in El Shadai, Whom he knew would not fail him. Daniel was determined to stand for his God, Jehovah Tsidkenu, "Our righteousness." Daniel knew that standing in God's righteousness, whether he lived or died, he would always be a winner (Dan.3:17,18). So Daniel "put on God's full armor, that he would be able to resist and stand his ground on the evil day, and having done all the crisis demands, to stand firmly in his place (of faith)." (Eph.6:13).

Daniel's determined purpose was to keep the faith, (as Paul said in II Tim.4:7), and stay "uncontaminated from the world" (James 1:27).

Joseph was another example of a victor when his faith was under fire. His story starts in Genesis 37:2 and ends in Gen.50:26. It is a story of being rejected, hated and sold into slavery by his very own brothers; having favor with his master; being falsely accused, being forgotten by friends; being restored to an honored place; being the "savior" of His family and the people of Egypt; being restored to his father and family; receiving the blessings of his father and he died in honor. Through it all he purposed to serve Jehovah God (El Shadai) regardless of the circumstances or tribulations because he knew his God, Elohim, was strong, faithful and kept His promises. His life's experiences proved that because he believed in Jehovah God, He was able to keep that which he had committed to Him until that day (II Tim.1:12). Joseph died a victor over his circumstances because he believed in a God Who was able to deliver him!

Both Daniel and Joseph proved that trusting in the God Who "by His power was able to carry out His purpose; to do super-abundantly far over and above all they could dare to ask or imagine; infinitely beyond their highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes or dreams" (Eph.3:20 Amp.)! God can and will do the same for us if we only believe and trust Him, Purpose to stand for right and keep the faith! OUR GOD IS ABLE TO DELIVER US!!

STAND UP FOR JESUS
(George Duffield)

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, stand in His strength alone.
The arm of flesh will fail you, you dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armor, each piece put on with prayer.
Where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there.