Day 242

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Faith in the Fury Furnace!

Daniel Introduction

Daniel, deported to Babylon as a youth, served in the courts of Babylonia and Persia during the seventy-year captivity. Used by God as his spokesman to both Gentiles and Jews, Daniel demonstrated God's power through his interpretation of dreams and in his life of godly obedience. In his own visions, Daniel saw God's perfect plan for the chosen nation. Throughout his ministry Daniel's message comes through with ringing clarity: God is in control, not only of the present, but of the future as well!

Scripture

August 29—Daniel 1-3: Adventures of Daniel and His Friends

Observation

Hundreds of miles from home. Surrounded by people speaking an unknown language. Nothing to look back on but a temple (now in ruins) and a homeland (now in enemy hands). Surely God is dead or at least asleep to have so forgotten his exiled people. Right? Not if you ask Daniel and his three friends! For them, God is still very much alive answering prayers, interpreting dreams, honoring the integrity of those committed to him. Even a fiery furnace cannot intimidate the servants of the Most High God.

Application

Picture this scene in your mind: An enemy army has swooped down upon your nation, inflicting enormous destruction and death. Your city is a smoking ruin; your place of worship lies in rubble; your possessions have been destroyed. The fate of your family and friends is unknown. Only memories remain of what, hours before, you called "home." All you have left is your confidence in God. Would that be enough?

For you today, that may be only an academic exercise; for Daniel it was the chilling reality of his life. With nothing to cling to but God, Daniel found that God was all he needed. When Daniel and his friends found themselves literally in the "frying pan," they discovered that the promises of God stand up well in the severe tests of life!

"I never knew Jesus Christ was all I needed until Jesus Christ was all I had." Have you ever heard anyone express this conviction? Don't wait for an "exile experience" in your life before you learn that lesson. You can come to grips with it today as you walk with Daniel through the early years of his captivity in Babylon. You'll know you have learned that when you can pray from your heart the words of Daniel in 2:20-23, and of Daniel's friends in 3:17-18. Why not do that right now?

Prayer

Father, thank you for praying leaders. Please guide the pastors of today as our leaders to bring people to you and back to praying. And, we thank you for giving us your Holy Spirit who helps us in our weaknesses. When we don't know what to pray, the Holy Spirit prays for us. Oh Lord, we thank you and praise you for giving us the divine tools we need to overcome the adversities of this world. In Jesus' name we pray! Amen!

Pray Divinely!



© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2020

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