I desire to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart. Psalm 40:8.

I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church. Colossians 1:24.

A cheerful heart is good medicine. Proverbs 17:22.

And continuing our 351 Old Testament prophecies, promises of God, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, we come to number 158: He was scourged. Psalm 129:3: The plowers plowed upon my back; they lengthened their furrows. And, Matthew 27:26: Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.

Yesterday we watched the movie Daniel and the Fiery Furnace. And before that movie there were previews for other movies that felt forced and hollow in some way it’s difficult to explain. The movie Daniel showed the kind of faith you can’t pretend or manufacture. When three Jewish men, captives in the powerful kingdom of Babylon, refused to bow down to a huge golden statue of the king, the king was furious and confident in his power that no one could deliver them out of his hand and save them and so said, “What god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?” Daniel 3:15. Their answer right to the face of the king, looking into his eyes? “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18. And the movie showed beautifully the effect of these three men walking into the furnace that burned alive the warriors tasked with leading them up to the open furnace. It showed God in their midst with them so that the ropes binding their wrists were burned away without touching them, it showed them being held by God as they were able to look upon Him with joy and thanksgiving. And it showed what was written in the Book of Daniel, that the king exclaimed that he saw four men in that fire walking and not being burned. There is no god but Creator God. No god but Creator God.

And then that afternoon watching CNN, was a report about immigration courts in Texas where minors are having their immigration status decided. As no cameras are allowed in the courts, an artist shared their drawings. One showed at the table an adult, not family, with a small head of a child, 2 years old, alone. Another drawing showed 3 children seated together who were older but still young children, minors, with a case worker at the table with them. Another time a 3 year old, alone, who was playing with the microphone, oblivious to any idea of what was happening. The reporter said a 13 year old was ordered back to Honduras where there was no family and he broke out in tears. I can only hope toddlers were not treated that way – I can only hope and pray in this day and age. What is happening in our world? There is no god but Creator God and we would do well to remember and pray for the faith of those three Jewish men who knew and understood who the real God is, and how to trust Him in faith that is real. Remembering that report, I couldn’t help but think about what Paul wrote about filling up in his flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ for the sake of His body, which is the church. His body – His children – dearly loved – and imagine young children, even toddlers, still today sitting in courtrooms alone, or being trafficked by adults destroying them. What will be the fate of these underage children returned to countries alone? I pray we fill up in our hearts what is lacking in the afflictions of our LORD for His children dearly loved. I pray for our own hearts turned to Him for help and shepherding because we are lost until we find our own heart in Him and His love for us – that we can turn away from all sins and choose compassion and trusting Him. I know every child will be held safe in the arms of our Savior where no more harm can befall them. What about our hearts today? How we need the fire of God’s love cleansing our hearts and burning away every sin that binds us. Our idols today are destroying us. Creator God saves us.

***NEARER, STILL NEARER – Nearer, still nearer, close to Thy heart, draw me, my Savior, so precious Thou art; fold me, O fold me, close to Thy breast; shelter me safe in that haven of rest. Nearer, still nearer; nothing I bring: naught as an off’ring to Jesus my King. Only my sinful, now contrite heart; grant me the cleansing Thy love doth impart. Nearer, still nearer, LORD, to be Thine, sin with its follies I gladly resign. All of its pleasures, pomp, and its pride; give me but Jesus, my LORD crucified. Nearer, still nearer, while life shall last till, safe in glory, my anchor is cast. Through endless ages, ever to be nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee. Leila N. Morris, “Nearer, Still Nearer,” 1904.***