LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DARE
TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE (I)
19TH
JANUARY,
2022
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Exodus 2-4
READ: Daniel 1:1-21
[1]In
the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged
it.
[2]And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand,
with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into
the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the
vessels into the treasure house of his god.
[3]And the king spake
unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain
of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the
princes;
[4]Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured,
and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and
understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in
the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the
tongue of the Chaldeans.
[6]Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
[7]Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.
[8]But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
[9]Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
[10]And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
[11]Then
said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over
Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
[12]Prove thy servants, I
beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water
to drink.
[13]Then let our countenances be looked upon before
thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of
the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
[14]So
he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten
days.
[15]And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared
fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the
portion of the king's meat.
[16]Thus Melzar took away the portion
of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them
pulse.
[17]As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and
skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all
visions and dreams.
[18]Now at the end of the days that the king
had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs
brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
[19]And the king communed
with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
[20]And
in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of
them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and
astrologers that were in all his realm.
[21]And Daniel continued
even unto the first year of king Cyrus.
ALSO READ: DEEPER LIFE DAILY MANNA FOR TODAY
MEMORISE:
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; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he
might not defile himself . - Daniel
1:8
EXPOSITION
For anyone to be regarded as being successful in life, he must have discovered the purpose of his creation, and be pursuing it to logical conclusion. Daniel, a young captive in Babylon, was truly successful, but a lot had happened in the background before he could achieve his successes. He crossed so many hurdles, taking some major, difficult, godly, unpopular decisions and he stood by them, notwithstanding the persecutions.
ALSO READ: OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY
The
major ingredient for Daniel's record success in captivity was his
commitment to Yahweh. Show me a truly successful man, then I will
show you a man who has cordial relationship with his Maker - God. Of
course, only those 'who know their God shall be strong, and carry out
great exploits' (Daniel 11:32). Daniel's devotion to Yahweh fetched
him extraordinary knowledge, understanding and wisdom. How else can
one describe his ability to interpret visions and dreams, than to say
it is the manifestation of divine wisdom. Only when we are in, and
for Christ Jesus, can we truly succeed in life (Jn. 15:4-8). The fact
that Daniel knew Yahweh and was in the best of relationship with Him
helped him to do exploits for, and in Him. Learn from him.
ALSO READ: MFM DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY
What are your God-given gifts? They are to glorify God and bless others. Daniel's gifts glorified God - revealed His wisdom and power to the gentile world of Babylon. His gifts also blessed people in unmistakable ways. Very challenging is the fact that Daniel courageously stood alone for Yahweh, not succumbing to pressures. How do you react when you are faced with godless pressures surround you? In addition, Daniel had godly friends who flowed with him in fulfilling his purpose. Who are your friends? What impact do they have on your success?
PRAYER
POINT:
1.
Lord, help me to recognise, appreciate, and accordingly deploy those
potentials and gifts You have deposited in me.
2. Pray that God
will grant you the grace and willingness to put Him first in all you
do in life.
3. Pray for CAC Medayese Region, our father in the
Lord, the Superintendent, and its officers at the various levels, as
led by the Spirit of God.
DO HAVE A BLESSED DAY
|
©2022 LIVING WATERS IS a daily devotional by THE CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH |