I'll Sing my Temptations Away

The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment.
II Peter 2:9

I love the book of Acts in the New Testament. As a disclaimer, I love every book in the Bible, but I am especially encouraged by the book of Acts as I read how the Holy Spirit was moving in the early church and how its numbers were increasing day by day. And the people were generous! They were sharing with each other and giving sacrificially to the Lord's work.

For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles' feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need. Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet. Acts 4:34-37

Well, almost everyone was. Immediately after this encouraging story in chapter 4, we hear what happened to some other folks who didn't give as righteously.

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife's full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it. The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him. Acts 5:1-6

It's not clear from the text WHY Ananias and Sapphira didn't turn over all the money except that Satan had filled his (Ananias') heart to lie. It's possible that they knew Barnabas, and knew that he had sold land and given the money to the Lord's work, and that while they wanted to be in the "in crowd" they also wanted to keep some of the money for themselves. If their desire was to get rich, they definitely personify the people that Paul write to Timothy about:

But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. I Timothy 6:9

Ruin and destruction was certainly what happened here, and it didn't take long. But it wasn't only Ananias who paid the penalty for this deception; look what happens to Sapphira.

Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter responded to her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?" And she said, "Yes, that was the price." Then Peter said to her, "Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well." And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Acts 5:7-10

What is clear is that Ananias and Sapphira had purposed in their heart to deceive the apostles. Satan had done his work in leading them to believe that their plan was acceptable, and profitable. Perhaps James was thinking of this story when he wrote that it is our own sinful desires that tempt us and lead us to act on temptation, giving in to sin and leading to death.

Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. James 1:13-16

When we are tempted, we can lose our ability to discern what is right and what is God's will. We often don't see the consequences - surely Ananias and Sapphira never imagined they would end up dead in this scenario! - and in fact, the devil often persuades us that will be become better, richer, wiser, happier etc. It is so important that we heed James' advice to submit to God and resist the devil, who is the ultimate tempter.

Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7

Don't let yourself fall into temptation - be alert and on the offensive. God is your redeemer, and will rescue you when you call on His strong and mighty name.

So He saved them from the hand of the one who hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. Psalm 106:10

I'll Sing my Temptations Away
Words by Mary McLean

I’ll sing my temptations away,
For tho’ they be artful and strong,
I’ll sing of One stronger than they,
And sing till they flee from my song.

Refrain
I’ll sing of my Savior, I’ll sing of my Savior,
I’ll sing of my Savior all day, all day.
I’ll sing my temptations, I’ll sing my temptations,
I’ll sing my temptations away, away.

When worldly allurements are strong,
To Christ in my weakness I’ll flee.
And find in His presence a song,
And sing the temptations from me.

When tempests within and without
Suggest that my faith is all wrong,
I’ll sing till grim shadows of doubt
Are lost in the sunlight of song.

And when all temptations are o’er,
A song of redemption I’ll sing,
And swell on the heavenly shore
The praises of Jesus my King.

Praise to the Living God

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Have you ever thought about how living your life of faith brings glory to God, and causes others to give Him glory? After re-reading the story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den, I’ve come away with more than the lesson about trusting God and being true to His name. Daniel’s faith caused the King to praise the Lord and publicly declare His goodness; not to mention, declare that everyone in His kingdom should worship the One True God!

The story starts when Daniel is appointed by King Darius to be one of the 120 men serving over the kingdom. Daniel distinguished himself as one having “an extraordinary spirit” (Daniel 6:3) so the King planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom!

Well you can imagine how that made the other 119 men feel – quite jealous and indignant. So look at the plan they came up with:

Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him. Then these men said, "We will not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him with regard to the law of his God." Daniel 6:4-5

Daniel was a man of integrity, and they could not find any reason why the king should not appoint him over the whole kingdom. So instead of looking for something related to his appointment and his governmental affairs, they decide to look at his spiritual life and his relationship to God. They knew that Daniel worshiped the Lord, so they undertook a plot to test his mettle and his faithfulness. So they came before the king and said:

“All the commissioners of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the high officials and the governors have consulted together that the king should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall be cast into the lions' den. Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document so that it may not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked." Therefore King Darius signed the document, that is, the injunction. Daniel 6:7-9

We’ve already established that Daniel was a man of integrity and faithfulness, and here we have the proof: even after Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he still entered his house and kneeled to pray, giving thanks before His God, as he had been doing even before the injunction was signed.

Well, the other leaders saw Daniel doing this and went straight to the king:

"Did you not sign an injunction that any man who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, is to be cast into the lions' den?" The king replied, "The statement is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked." Then they answered and spoke before the king, "Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps making his petition three times a day." Daniel 6:12-13

Now remember, the king is a fan of Daniel’s. He had decided to appoint him over the whole kingdom. So he was not very pleased to hear this news that essentially backed him into a corner. In fact, he tried to think of everything in order to not have to follow through on the injunction.

Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel; and even until sunset he kept exerting himself to rescue him. Daniel 6:14

Well, there was no back door this time, no loophole, no way out. The men reminded the king that his statute couldn’t be changed.

Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions' den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, "Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you." Daniel 6:16

Wow! Look at that! The king, who had willingly signed the injunction that the people of the kingdom were to make petitions to no one but HIM, now is consoling Daniel(and himself, presumably!) that his God will deliver him! So Daniel was put in with the lions.

A stone was brought and laid over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing would be changed in regard to Daniel. Then the king went off to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from him. Daniel 6:17-18

Clearly, the king was affected by this turn of events as he fasted and couldn’t sleep. When he got out of bed at dawn, at the break of day, he quickly went to inquire of Daniel in the lions’ den.

When he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?" Daniel 6:20

What an opportunity Daniel has now!

Then Daniel spoke to the king, "O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime." Daniel 6:21-22

Well this pleased the king to no end, and he gave orders for Daniel to be released from the den. He was not injured because he had trusted in God. So Daniel was preserved and the king set forth to punish the malicious men who accused Daniel. They weren’t as fortunate.

The king then gave orders, and they brought those men who had maliciously accused Daniel, and they cast them, their children and their wives into the lions' den; and they had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. Daniel 6:24

Wow. That is proof of God’s protection and mercy. Those lions were just fine, and totally capable of harming humans. And they did, when God wasn’t shutting their mouths or calming their “lion tendencies.”

Here’s the part I love – the King now makes a decree that all people of his kingdom should fear the God of Daniel. What a change of heart – and due to Daniel’s faithfulness and letting his light shine!

Then Darius the king wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language who were living in all the land: "May your peace abound! I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel;
For He is the living God and enduring forever,
And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed,
And His dominion will be forever.
He delivers and rescues and performs signs and wonders
In heaven and on earth,
Who has also delivered Daniel from the power of the lions."
Daniel 6:25-27

It is not very likely that you or I will ever face a choice about worshiping God or being thrown in the lion’s den. Our choices are much more subtle: worship God or face embarrassment or ridicule; stand up for what is right according to God’s word or go along with the crowd; display great faith and perseverance in the midst of trials or give up easily for our own fleshly comfort.

Our choices have a tremendous power to influence those around us: just look what happened to king Darius. After seeing Daniel’s display of faith, he not only worshiped God himself, but decreed all the people in his kingdom to, as well. You can have that kind of influence by living out your faith in your choices and daily interactions. Let’s all resolve to let our light shine ever more brightly that others may give our great God the glory!

Praise to the Living God
Words From The Yigdal of Daniel ben Judah, a Jewish judge in Rome, circa 1400; translated to English by Newton Mann (1836-1926) & Max Landsberg (1845-1928)

Praise to the living God!
All praised be His Name,
Who was, and is, and is to be,
And still the same!
The one eternal God,
Ere aught that now appears;
The first, the last: beyond all thought
His timeless years!

His Spirit floweth free,
High surging where it will;
In prophet’s word He spoke of old;
He speaketh still.
Established is His law,
And changeless it shall stand,
Deep writ upon the human heart,
On sea or land.

He hath eternal life
Implanted in the soul;
His love shall be our strength and stay,
While ages roll.
Praise to the living God!
All praised be His Name,
Who was, and is, and is to be,
And still the same.

Christ is Living, verse 3

For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. Romans 14:9

Jesus' triumphant resurrection means that death is dead forever! Because He lives, death is swallowed up in victory!

For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?" I Corinthians 15:53-55

Sin has lost its poison sting. Jesus came to this earth as a human, lived, suffered and died, but that was not the end of the story. He rose from the dead, and is alive forever. And because of that, we will also live forever with Him in glory.

But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. I Corinthians 15:20-26

By one man came death - that man was Adam. His sin in the Garden of Eden put humanity on the sinful track. Because of his sin, we are all sinners, and are separated from God. But by a man also came resurrection of the dead - that man is Christ! He purchased our redemption through His death on the cross and His resurrection brought us victory over death. Because of our humanity, we like Adam will all suffer death, but because of Christ's humanity, we will be made alive!

I agree with the hymnwriter, we should be singing "Thanks be to God!" with our every breath!

Because Christ is risen, we too can live. Spread the word of grace abroad. I was just thinking about that this morning when I heard on the radio that some people believe that the Great Commission will be accomplished within this generation! When all the people in the whole world have heard the Gospel, then Jesus can return to claim His bride!

This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.
Matthew 24:14

Christ is Living! Spread the word! And praise His name!

Christ is Living (Christo Vive)
Words by Nicolas Martinez, translated to English by Martin A. Seltz

Christ is living! Gone with sorrow! Tears and terror, be no more.
Death and grave, you now are nothing; Christ is free of every power.
Why then seek the living Savior in the haunts of death and fear?
Christ is risen! Shout the good news so that all the world may hear.

For if Christ is not arisen there is nothing to believe.
Truth be told, He keeps the promise: "Since I live you too shall live."
Dust we are, to dust returning, but in Christ we are restored.
Doubt dispelling, claim the triumph: Jesus is the living Lord!

Death is swallowed up in victory; sin has lost its poison sting.
Life will blossom from the grain sown,
Christ the first fruits of the spring.
For the sureness of salvation let us sing "Thanks be to God!"
Christ is risen! We are living! Spread the word of grace abroad.

Christ is Living, verse 2

"The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him." Acts 5:30-32

If Christ is not arisen, there is nothing to believe. Aren't you glad He lives? Jesus conquered death so that we would believe that He is God. And because He lives, we too shall live. Our belief and acceptance of His death and resurrection means that we won't be separated from God for eternity, but that we will have a home with Him in heaven, forever!

"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life." John 5:24

It's enough to make you want to stand up and cheer, isn't it?

The grave and death had nothing on Jesus - he burst through death's dark bars and rose triumphant to the glory of His Father. Christ is free, and He has made us free from sin and enslaved to God - and look at what that does for us:

But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. Romans 6:22

Shout the good news so that all will hear! Christ is Living!

"And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, 'YOU ARE MY SON; TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU.' As for the fact that He raised Him up from the dead, no longer to return to decay, He has spoken in this way: 'I WILL GIVE YOU THE HOLY and SURE blessings OF DAVID.' Therefore He also says in another Psalm, 'YOU WILL NOT ALLOW YOUR HOLY ONE TO UNDERGO DECAY.' For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his fathers and underwent decay; but He whom God raised did not undergo decay. Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses." Acts 13:32-39

Christ is Living (Christo Vive)
Words by Nicolas Martinez, translated to English by Martin A. Seltz

Christ is living! Gone with sorrow! Tears and terror, be no more.
Death and grave, you now are nothing; Christ is free of every power.
Why then seek the living Savior in the haunts of death and fear?
Christ is risen! Shout the good news so that all the world may hear.

For if Christ is not arisen there is nothing to believe.
Truth be told, He keeps the promise: "Since I live you too shall live."
Dust we are, to dust returning, but in Christ we are restored.
Doubt dispelling, claim the triumph: Jesus is the living Lord!

Death is swallowed up in victory; sin has lost its poison sting.
Life will blossom from the grain sown,
Christ the first fruits of the spring.
For the sureness of salvation let us sing "Thanks be to God!"
Christ is risen! We are living! Spread the word of grace abroad.