The Everyday Prayer

Re: Verse reading–Judges 16:4-30 (day two)
None of us get into our deepest problems all at once. We take baby steps towards destruction and tell ourselves that it’s not that big of a deal. Samson was no excuse. His dad had told him to stay away from the idol-worshipping girls, but Samson chose his wants over wisdom (Judges 14:3). Just like Eve and all the rest of us who willingly replace the wisdom of our Father for the wishes of the moment, Samson walked one step at a time down a path of destruction. Will you live by His wisdom or your wants? It’s a choice we make over and over again every day. Listen for the Father’s voice saying, “My son, pay attention to my words; listen closely to my sayings. Don’t lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and health to one’s body. Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life” (Proverbs 4:20-13).

Re: Verse reading–Judges 16:4-30 (day one)
“So the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes.”  (v 21)  “A man who hardens his neck after much reproof will suddenly be broken beyong remedy.”  (Proverbs 29:1)  It is easy to say.  “It will never happen to me.”  Easy to deceive ourselves into thinking that God’s mercy will cover continued sin without consequence.  The scripture denys this naive confidence.  Playing with fire and getting burned are synonymous.  Ask Sampson! How many of God’s commandments did he disregard?  Sexual sin.  Falling in love with a person who did not love God.  Missing the connection between purity and power.  It was a painful lesson.  One, sadly, that many of us are close to repeating.  Deep Mercy?  Yes.  Unbending justice? Yes.  Both are parts of the character of God.  The Ninevites repented and were saved. (Jonah 3:10) Sampson did not repent and lost his life and ministry.  How foolish to miss God’s mercy by saying, “It will never happen to me.”

Re: Verse reading–Daniel 1 (day seven)
“But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the royal rations of food and wine.”  (v 8)  In 1 Corinthians 9:27, the Apostle Paul speaks about being “disqualified”.  He doesn’t elaborate, but he does register the possibility that “after having preached to others” he, himself, might stumble into sin, becoming unusable in Kingdom service.  It is a serious consideration for every believer and probably what motivated Daniel’s decision to be clean.  What are actions and attitudes that grieve/quench the Holy Spirit in our lives?  Please read the following  words and ask for insight.  “In a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, some to honor and some to dishonor.  Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.”  (2 Timothy 2:20-21)  We must serve God on His terms.  Holy lives.

Re: Verse reading–Daniel 1 (day six)
“But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the royal rations of food and wine.”  (v 8)  “I am afraid of the King. . . if he should see you in poor condition, it would endanger my head.”  (v 10)  Questions.  WHY did Daniel refuse the palace food?  Had he taken a Nazirite vow?  (see Number 6:2)  Was he concerned with Levitical food laws?  (Leviticus 11)  The Bible doesn’t say.  Was it the idolatry and indulgence associated with Babylonian diet that caused him to commit to a more simple, spiritual path?  And WHY was the palace official willing to risk his own safety to help?  What was it about Daniel’s life that others found inspiring?  (Romans 5:7?  “for a good man one might be willing to die.”)  And finally, WHY aren’t more of us aware of our choices in an unbelieving culture, how powerful they are, how beneficial to us and to those who are observing our lives.  Just asking.  Why?

Re: Verse reading–Daniel 1 (day four)
2 Chronicles 16:9 says, “For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He might strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” Certainly, the Lord saw Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.  Their hearts were intent on obedience to God…so much so, that they were willing to incur the wrath of the king in order to be found faithful before God.  How did God support them?  Verse 17 says, “God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom;” Verse 20 says, “As for every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the others.” Have you ever asked God to make you ten times better at something?  It can’t be a selfish request…remember, you heart has to be completely God’s!  God is sovereign over all the earth…He will exalt His name.  Let’s seek to be the instrument used to bring glory to His name!

Re: Verse reading–Daniel 1 (day three)
“[Daniel] asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.”  The scriptures tell us that “Daniel resolved not to defile himself.”  As undesirable as the circumstances appeared to Daniel, his first inclination was not to rail against his surroundings, but to please the Lord within his surroundings.  There was a voice in Daniel’s life–from the Lord, from his upbringing, from wise counsel, from somewhere–that expressed this thought to him: “You’re here; what are you going to do about it?”  It’s the same thing Paul knew later on: “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”  Early on, Daniel, like Paul after him, decided that his priority, wherever he found himself, was to live with God.  Here.  Now.  Security followed.

Re: Verse reading–Daniel 1 (day two)
“…The Lord handed Jehoiakim king of Judah over to him…” Jehoiakim’s name means “the LORD raises up.” He didn’t choose to be king of Judah. His father, King Josiah, was killed in battle. His brother lasted as king for 3 months. Then the conquering ruler made Jehoiakim king (see 2 Kings 23). In defeat, Jehoiakim’s name rang true although he was no longer “raised up.” Daniel is clear. It is the Lord who “raised up” this conquering king of Babylon. The Lord gives the city over to defeat. Ironically, this is the note of hope amidst crushing defeat. If God was sovereign in defeat, then God will be sovereign in restoration. Perhaps this pattern was on Jesus’ mind when he said, “I lay down my life-only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord” (John 10:17-18). In a surprising way, the pattern applies to us as well. “Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers” (1 John 3:16). The greatest evidence of a hopeful Christian is sacrificial service. So are you hopeful?

Re: Verse reading–Daniel 1 (day one)
“But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself”  (v 8)  Handsome, young, gifted man.  Opportunity for advancement in a secular culture.  The price?  Accomodate his beliefs.  Compromise the commandments of God.   It is a classic story of temptation and faithfulness.  Daniel searches his heart and then searches for a way to serve Nebuchadnezzar and still serve Jehovah.  He resolves that his commitment to God is first.  He will not compromise the path of purity commanded by God.  In doing so, he becomes our example.  Does purity matter?  Is obedience to God’s law a realistic path in a secular world?  Daniel concludes that the answer is yes and resolves to walk the path with courage.  Part of God’s equipment for his people is a clear conscience before the Father.  “Therefore, if a man cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.”  (2 Timothy 2:21)