STANDING FOR GOD 2
Daniel 1:15-21
And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. Daniel 1:20.
According to our text, at the end of ten days, Daniel and his friends appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than everyone who ate the king’s meat. This was not due to the meals they ate, but an act of God because they decided to stand for Him. God does not abandon those who stand for Him. A God-honouring conviction yields God-given rewards. In whatever capacity you choose to represent Christ, God will show Himself mighty on your behalf. He is not unjust to forget your labours. Standing for God might be a stretchy and trying process, but it is never in vain.
We should also understand that God’s reward system is quite different from the reward system of the world. God granted the four Hebrew youths favour before the eunuch and he allowed them to eat what they wanted. We may worry about how our decision against defilement and compromise may come true, but we just need to first make the decision. God gave them knowledge and skill above others; they were ten times better than even the magicians and astrologers who had been serving the king. When you give yourself to God in a remarkable way, He remarkably blesses you.
Prayer
Lord, let me be strengthened by Your Spirit to stand for You at all times. Help me to look to You alone as my rewarder in Jesus’ name. Amen.
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING
DAY 125 Judges 2:6- 23,- Judges 3; John 4:27-42; Psalm 56:1-13
DEALING WITH DREAMS
Daniel 2:1–3, Job 33:14-18
In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, while slumbering on their beds, then He opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction. Job 33:15-16
Have you ever had a dream that felt so real? Have you had a dream that troubled you and you couldn’t forget it? Nebuchadnezzar had such a dream. The book of Daniel 2:1 says, “Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.” Dreams are one of the ways God speaks to us; He uses dreams to communicate His will, reveal the plans he has for us, warn us, and announce future events to us. However, not all dreams are messages from God. They may arise from our thoughts, images we have seen, and the sensations in our minds.
The dream the king had was such that he couldn’t overlook it. He knew deep down that this dream was an important one. We shouldn’t neglect the message God is trying to pass across to us through dreams. How do we know God is trying to pass a message? It will align with the word of God. The moment it contradicts God’s word, cancel and disregard it. Ensure you strengthen your spirit with the word and with prayers so you can contend with any false messages the enemy is trying to pass across in your dreams.
Prayer
Lord, help me get the message You want to pass across to me through dreams in Jesus’ name. Amen.
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING
DAY 126 Judges 4,-Judges 5, John 5:1-15; Psalm 57:57:1-6
DREAMS: INTERPRETATION
Daniel 2:14–24
We both had dreams,” they answered, “but there is no one to interpret them.” Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams. Genesis 40:8
Interpretation simply means explaining the meaning of something. There is a search for the interpretation of dreams even today. King Nebuchadnezzar sought the interpretation of his dream from the magicians, astrologers, sorcerers and the Chaldeans. The king might have known how men prey on those who seek answers; no wonder he said, “Tell me the dream and its interpretation.” If he had not done this, the wise men would have given him a false interpretation. Thanks be to God that there was a man who had a consistent personal relationship with the interpreter of dreams. All he needed was to spend time with God.
Is there a dream that is making you seek interpretation in different places? You don’t have to go far any longer, just spend time with God in your closet (a quiet place) and ask God for the interpretation. The God who answered Daniel will answer you. Strengthen your relationship with God, and He will reveal to you mysteries, and you will bless His name as Daniel did.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for Your Spirit that gives me understanding in all things in Jesus’ name. Amen.
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING
DAY 127 Judges 6, Judges 7:1-8; John 5:16-30; Psalm 57:7-11
OBEYING GOD OR MAN
Daniel 3:1-12
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, we ought to obey God rather than men. Acts 5:29
We are sometimes in a fix between obeying God and obeying humans. God had instructed Israel not to bow down nor worship any graven image (Ex. 20:4-5). King Nebuchadnezzar erected a statue of himself and passed a decree that everyone should bow and worship it on hearing the sound of the musical instruments. The three Hebrew men now had a decision to make: either to obey God or obey the king. Often, we find ourselves in similar situations at work, school or society. Sometimes, a higher authority or the government can make rules that do not align with God’s standards. We may argue that scripture says we should obey those in authority. However, when the instruction from the authority is not in line with God’s instruction, we mustn’t obey.
Peter and the other apostles had a similar experience. They were instructed by the rulers of the synagogue not to preach Christ. Rather than obey them, they went on preaching Christ. We must take a stand today to obey God irrespective of the pressure around us. For the Hebrew men, the pressure was the furnace. For the apostles, imprisonment and torture were the consequences of standing for God. Just as the Hebrew men were delivered, so we will be delivered if we hold on to God and obey Him. Are you obeying God or man?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, give me the grace to always prioritise obedience to You, no matter the pressure. Amen.
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING
DAY 129 Judges 9, John 6:1-24 Proverbs 58:1-11
DELIVERANCE IS ASSURED
Daniel 3:13-18
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. ’Psalm 91:15
Having an assurance of something eases anxiety and builds hope. The three Hebrew men knew the God they served and they were fully aware of His abilities. They knew that He could deliver them from any situation. When faced with the fiery furnace, they were bold enough to address the King because they had the assurance that their deliverance was sure. God has assured us in scripture, He said, “Call upon me, and I will answer thee…,” (Jeremiah 33:3). No matter the challenge, God can deliver. The problem lies with us not knowing this assurance and not calling upon God.
Most times, we fret at the sight of challenges; at best, we just complain. David knew God and His ability to deliver. Whenever he encountered challenges, he called out to God and he was delivered (Psalms 34:4-17). Christ came to deliver us from the power of sin, death and the devil. As believers, we have Christ in us and thus move daily with our deliverance. Our hearts should be grounded on this assurance as we go about our daily activities. Do you know that your deliverance is assured?
Prayer
Dear Lord, help me to be conscious of the deliverance I have in Christ in Jesus’ name. Amen.
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING
DAY 130 Judges 10, -Judges 11; John 6:25-59; Psalm 59:1-8
THE FOURTH MAN
Daniel 3:19-28
He answered and said, lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. ’Daniel 3:25
The three Hebrew men refused to bow to the King’s statue despite his warning. They were thrown into the furnace, which was already heated seven times more. While in the furnace, a fourth man was seen among them. They were loose and walking freely in the furnace unhurt. The king was astonished and ordered that they be released. Who was this fourth man? King Nebuchadnezzar described him as one having the form of the Son of God. Thus, we can say that Christ was the fourth man. Isaiah 43:2 says, “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” This was the experience of the three Hebrew men.
God has assured us of His deliverance. The question is, do you know the fourth man? Do you have Him in your life? When faced with challenges, we should know that with Christ in us, our deliverance and breakthrough are sure. Thus, we should endeavour to know Christ and have a steady personal relationship with Him. Do you have Christ in you?
Prayer
Lord, help me to stand unafraid when faced with challenges because of Your presence in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING
DAY 131 Judges12, –24; Matt 21;18-32; Proverbs 3;21-35
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