As the Israelites are nearing the end of their captivity, it is amazing to see the response in Daniel. He humbles himself, and cries out to God in sincere prayer. In sackcloth and ashes, Daniel praises God for what He is about to do.
As Pastor Jason put it, the Israelites “idolatry was killed by captivity”…but this process of letting go of idolatry and choosing to fully trust in God took over 70 years.
Something about being in captivity led to the death of those desires for false gods. Isn’t it so true that in the wilderness seasons we learn to let go? To fully rely on Him?
In 1 Corinthians 15:36 Paul says, “When you put a seed into the ground, it doesn’t grow into a plant unless it dies first.” (NLT)
The seed had to die first in order for there to be new growth — a new plant — new life.
In the same way, if the Israelites were to truly come out of captivity and enter into the new freedom God had for them, the idolatry had to die first.
It makes me wonder what things might have to “die” in my life before God does the “new thing” (Isaiah 43:19) He has already planned to do. What must take place before I step into that freedom? What do I no longer need to carry anymore?
Often times, we must let go of sin before we see the promise. Sometimes, we simply need to let go of old ways of thinking that have left us imprisoned in a cell inside our minds.
Whatever no longer serves our relationship, and separates us from God, needs to be put down and cast aside. It’s hard to do this when the familiar cell walls have become “home” in our minds.
But in the process of letting God do the new thing He has promised…we must forcefully separate from anything that hinders us.
I think Paul says it best in Hebrews 12:1:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” (NLT)
So friend, I ask you with a humble heart…what must die in your life before you walk into the future promise? What do you need to let go ?
I know there is fear that in letting go, you might lose yourself. But as God has so patiently promised us, it is in the “losing” that we truly gain!
As Pastor Jason put it, the Israelites “idolatry was killed by captivity”…but this process of letting go of idolatry and choosing to fully trust in God took over 70 years.
Something about being in captivity led to the death of those desires for false gods. Isn’t it so true that in the wilderness seasons we learn to let go? To fully rely on Him?
In 1 Corinthians 15:36 Paul says, “When you put a seed into the ground, it doesn’t grow into a plant unless it dies first.” (NLT)
The seed had to die first in order for there to be new growth — a new plant — new life.
In the same way, if the Israelites were to truly come out of captivity and enter into the new freedom God had for them, the idolatry had to die first.
It makes me wonder what things might have to “die” in my life before God does the “new thing” (Isaiah 43:19) He has already planned to do. What must take place before I step into that freedom? What do I no longer need to carry anymore?
Often times, we must let go of sin before we see the promise. Sometimes, we simply need to let go of old ways of thinking that have left us imprisoned in a cell inside our minds.
Whatever no longer serves our relationship, and separates us from God, needs to be put down and cast aside. It’s hard to do this when the familiar cell walls have become “home” in our minds.
But in the process of letting God do the new thing He has promised…we must forcefully separate from anything that hinders us.
I think Paul says it best in Hebrews 12:1:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” (NLT)
So friend, I ask you with a humble heart…what must die in your life before you walk into the future promise? What do you need to let go ?
I know there is fear that in letting go, you might lose yourself. But as God has so patiently promised us, it is in the “losing” that we truly gain!
Erika Pizzo
Erika is an author of various books on the topics of faith, mental health, and victory in Christ. Erika lives with her husband, daughter, son, and their fluffy poodle in sunny Southern California. Her two favorite things are a visit to the beach and a chai latte in hand.