Sat.’s Devo - From Victim to Victor

Read: Daniel 1:1-2:23; 1 Peter 3:8-4:6; Psalm 119:65-80; Proverbs 28:14
Today we start reading Daniel. Jerusalem was finally besieged by Nebuchadnezzar and the fit people were carried off to Babylon. Daniel and his three friends were singled out because they had been royalty in Jerusalem and they were well educated. They were chosen to be a part of Nebuchadnezzar’s government so they were taught the language and their laws. Daniel excelled in academics as well as revelation. He was given favor with his teacher and asked that him and his friends not defile themselves with the king’s food since it was against the law of Moses. After a ten day trial, the officer obliged them and gave them only vegetables and water. They thrived.
The king had a dream that greatly disturbed him and he wanted to test his spiritual advisors. He not only wanted the interpretation of the dream but they were to tell him the dream also or die. None of them could do this and I love that they said, “No one can revel it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among men.” That is the difference between our God and all the other religions… our God does live among men and he now lives inside of us!
When Daniel found out his life was about to be cut short he went to the king to plead for time. He was granted it and that night God gave him the king’s dream and its interpretation in a vision.
There are so many lessons we can take from just what we read today about Daniel. He was of nobility yet he was humble and put all of his hope in the Lord. He didn’t let the world dictate their standards on him, he stood against the pier pressure and peacefully found a way to honor God. When he was up against the wall, he asked for the impossible and God gave it to him.
Daniel lived First Peter. He tried to live in peace even with his enemies and received great favor. He even saved their lives and won their respect. Daniel gave his opinion with respect and honor to very ungodly men who had done him evil. He chose to bloom in a very unfruitful place and let the glory of God shine in his life. He is a great example to us of someone who chose to live in the spirit instead of in his circumstances. He was a victim who became a victor.
Lord, may we be a victor for you in the midst of our struggles and injustices. We know that you are the ultimate judge who will one day bring total justice to the earth.