Tues.’s Devo - Daniel’s Test

Read: Daniel 1:1-2:23; 1 Peter 3:8-4:6; Psalm 119:65-80; Proverbs 28:14 Daniel and his three friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were taken into exile to Babylon when they were teenagers. They were the royal family line or from elite families in Judah. They were taken because they were strong, healthy and good-looking. Along with other exiles, Nebuchadnezzar took sacred objects from the Temple. The year was around 605 B.C. during Jehoiakim’s third year as king of Judah. *** When Daniel arrived in Babylon he was put under the tutelage of a staff officer. He was to eat the food the king but it was not kosher according to God’s law. Daniel asked if he and his friends could only eat vegetables and water for a trial period of 10 days, then the officer could examine them against the other exiles and make his decision. At the end of the 10 days Daniel and his friends looked healthier than the others so they were allowed to continue eating their diet. *** They were trained for three years and the Lord blessed them with the ability to learn and understand every aspect of literature and wisdom. Daniel had the gift of interpreting dreams and visions. *** At the end of their training they were brought before the king and no one impressed him more than Daniel, Hanahiah, Mishael, and Azariah. *** The king had a dream that greatly disturbed him and seemed so important that he called in his top magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers. He told them to tell him what he dreamed and the meaning or they would die. They claimed no one could do that, so the king planned to kill them all. *** Daniel and his friends were not told what had happened, but when the officers came to kill them, they asked why., Daniel asked to see the king to ask for more time and was granted it. *** Daniel told his three friend to pray that God would tell them the secret of the king’s dream. That night in a dream, God gave Daniel the answer to his prayer. Daniel praised the Lord who controls the course of world events. That is a good thing for us to remember in the light of our nation. God is the one who controls our nation and he reveals deep mysteries to his people who seek him. *** Peter gives us some practical ways to act out God’s kingdom on earth. Most of it has to do with what we say. God is watching and listening and will turn his face from those who do evil. If we suffer for doing good, God will reward us. We should always have an answer for the hope that lies within us. Jesus is our hope and he suffered, died and rose to eternal life. When he died, he went to preach to spirits in prison in Sheol (the place of the dead). These were the people who died in the flood. The flood was a picture of God baptizing the earth from the evil that permeated before the flood. *** Then, Christ went to heaven and took his honorable seat next to God. *** Christ suffered on the earth, so we should not be surprised when we do also. Everyone will one day face God and give an account for the lives they lived on earth. They is why we preach the Good News, so they can repent and face God with joy and clean hearts and minds. *** Lord, thank you that you control the course of human events. We pray that our leaders would have your wisdom to choose your answers. May we learn from our mistakes and turn back to you.