October 5, 2018
My dearly beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, I greet and bless you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. The blessed word that the Lord gave me is from the book of Daniel 1:8, “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies nor with the wine which he drank.”
Daniel was a noble Jewish youth of Jerusalem. He was taken into captivity by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Daniel and his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were brought to serve in the king’s palace. The king granted for them a daily provision of his royal food and wine which they drank and training was given for them that they might serve before the king. But Daniel refused to eat of the king’s delicacies and the wine that was offered to him. He made a commitment in his heart that he will not defile himself with the royal food. Daniel and his companions proved to be the wisest of all the trainees and at the end of their training; they entered the service of king Nebuchadnezzar.
Although Daniel was a captive in the land of Babylon, he was not ashamed of his relationship with his God. Even though the decree had been published, he went upstairs to his room, and facing towards Jerusalem, he prayed three times a day. Daniel was a man of prayer. Therefore, God raised Daniel to a high office by his royal master Darius. But his rivals tricked king Darius into issuing a degree which condemned Daniel to death. God delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. King Darius promoted Daniel and his friends to a higher status in the kingdom.
My dearly beloved, have you taken a stand for the Lord? Have you compromised on the things of this world? The Bible says, ‘The Lord has set apart for Himself, him who is godly.’ Are you set apart for God? Today, if you make a commitment to God and obey the precepts of God and walk in His ways, then you will do well in your life and prolong your days in your land, like Daniel who lived in a land and proved to be unique among all the people of his times because of his faithful service to the Lord.
God bless you.
Prayer:
Our loving heavenly Father we thank You for this blessed day. Lord, may You fulfill all the expectation of my children. Release them from their problems. Father, I thank You for setting them apart for You. Bless all those who wait upon You. Father, help them to remain zealous for God. In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
