CAC LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR OCTOBER 12, 2021 : TOPIC – NEVER SAY, “IT CAN’T WORK HERE (III)”
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LIVING WATER CAC DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Tuesday, October 12, 2021.
NEVER SAY, “IT CAN’T WORK HERE (III)”
Read: Daniel 1:6-21
MEMORISE:
But Daniel determined in his heart that he would not defile himself by [eating his portion of] the king’s rich and dainty food or by [drinking] the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might [be allowed] not to defile himself. (Daniel 1:8).
EXPOSITION
We continue with discussion on Daniel. The young Daniel and his 3 Hebrew friends, slaves in Babylon, privileged to be trained and recruited in the kings service, were given names glorifying Babylonian gods, to change their identity, but surprisingly and most encouragingly, they weren’t affected an inch, by the supposed change (Dan.1v6,7), an indictment on professing Christians who go to places outside their birthplaces only to change their own names or those of their children to get admission into schools, or employments in non-Christian-friendly societies. This should silence those who claim that not doing such won’t work in such settings. We must stand for God, no matter the risks involved.
Obviously, these 4 Hebrew weren’t influenced by the attempt to change their godly identity. They changed their names but could not changed their character. Their refusal to eat the kings delicacies obviously brought from the temples of king’s idols (v.8) shows this. What some people would either say is that it is not possible because they would see one as holier-than-thou, or there is nothing bad in taking such, because faith in God is internal and personal. God save us.
The chief of the eunches complaint and fear in v.10 is like telling them, “Your request can’t work here.” Their response is challenging: “Kindly leave us to God and see if it works or not, then take your decision” (vv.11-14). Did it work? Yes (vv15ff). Where are the few who are ready to take risks for the Lord to show that His holy demands that some people claim cannot work where they are, can actually work?
God needs the Daniels who would prove Him to the Nebuchadnezzars of this world. Would you be any thing less? Where are the Shadrachs, Meshachs and Abed-Negos who would godly tell the godless rulers of this world, even if others are saying you can’t become anything, if you don’t serve the principalities of the land, We do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up (3v13-18)? Don’t disappoint God where you are!
PRAYER POINTS:
1. I receive courage to stand for the Lord Jesus, even in the face of the toughest prosecutions/threats, in Jesus name.
2. I will not bow down to the gods and principalities of the land, most especially, with their godless policies and programmes, in Jesus name.
3. Pray for missionaries slugging it out with the devil and his agents in fields closed to the gospel.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Isaiah 21:7 – 24:9, Philippines 2:2 – 2:23