Daniel 11:32 “…but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.”
What does it mean to be strong and to do exploits? Is it simply an adventure? Like one of David’s mighty men? These men were crazy awesome, right out of the heroes from The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit.
I love the idea of adventure, being strong, and doing exploits, but what about the portion that goes before? The part about ‘the people that do know their God’? How do you get to know God? Really KNOW Him? Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
According to the Mac 101: Dictionary, the word ‘adventure’ is both a noun and a verb. The definitions include, ‘an unusual and exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity, daring, calling for enterprise and enthusiasm, especially the exploration of unknown territory.’
To be honest, being a Christian is most definitely unusual and exciting, sometimes hazardous, certainly calling for enterprise and enthusiasm (Rejoice in the Lord always!). Choosing to set aside your own will and trust Someone I can’t see or hear or touch is all of the above and then some!
When Jesus came into my life and I gave Him my allegiance, He set up residence in my heart and life. People talk about ‘asking Jesus into your heart’ and that’s a good thing, but the reality, the true meaning of that is surrender, submission, giving up control. It’s not just turning away from my old life, it’s turning and cleaving to a brand new and very different life.
One of the things I love about The Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit is their sense of duty. These men (and women) are heroes. They have a purpose and they give their lives for it. Another favorite of mine is Baroness Orczy’s The Scarlet Pimpernel series. These take place during the French Revolution with Sir Percy Blakeney, a rich English aristocrat, sneaking in and out of France in various disguises rescuing people condemned to the guillotine. Again, a hero who answered a calling.
Of course, these stories are fun, fiction, but what about reality? What about getting to know this great God of ours and being strong and doing exploits? Is that real? Is that even possible today?
Yes! Sometimes the strongest thing a man or a woman can do is what’s right.
The battles today are for our values, our marriages, our children. You have the ability to change someone’s world. By loving God and seeking His will and way and doing it, you can save a life. You can participate in saving a soul.
What’s an exploit? According to the Mac 101: Dictionary, an ‘exploit’ is a ‘bold or daring feat’.
I don’t know about you, but sometimes the Lord asks me to do what seems totally counter-intuitive. At least, it’s not what I want to do. (Guess that goes back to that Proverbs 3:5-6 verse, the one about trusting in the Lord with ALL your heart and leaning not to your OWN understanding…)
The Lord called my husband to be a musician. How can a man support a family as a musician? (We have five kids.) But, my husband obeyed the Lord and He has provided in incredible ways. The Lord called me to be a writer. What? A writer and a musician and five, FIVE, kids? Yep. We’ve got a great house in a good neighborhood and we’ve never gone hungry.
The Lord called us to pick up and leave a great, big house and move to Chicago, all seven of us. Nine million people terrified me. Yet, when the Lord called us, He took away all my fear and I don’t mind traffic. Miracle anyone?
If you choose to allow Jesus to direct your path, He may take you to some crazy destinations, but He will go with you. If you choose to take the time to get to know Him, to really KNOW Him, He will make you strong and you will do exploits. You will change the world…
Christina Li Books 