Devotionals

Intro: The Old Testament can be very difficult to read at times, because the situations involving people and God may seem cruel and unethical to our natural minds. So, in the writings of Moses [Torah], let’s remember there are many symbolic and spiritual layers to every biblical story, because we cannot comprehend the mind of God. We tend to focus on the physical aspect of things more than the theological aspect of what God is trying to reveal to us in His Word about His character and holiness. Scripture is the self-revelation of God to His human creation; God is trying to help human beings grow in understanding so we can worship Him as Spirit and Truth (John 4:24).

In our passage today, God instructs Joshua [Yehoshua] to prepare the people of Israel for a spiritual battle. We must remember God is commanding the obedience and unmilitary actions of Israel. This is not something Israel has plotted to do, but rather what God—their Life-Leader—intends to do as He fights for Israel against sin and wickedness.

In order for God to be present with his people, evil has to be destroyed. Unfortunately, for generations, the Canaanites have chosen to invest themselves in sinful living: idolatry, child sacrifice, adultery, incest, murder, and other oppressive actions. So, God chooses to fight evil by bringing His justice to their wickedness. We must never forget the world is God’s vineyard and the seeds of wickedness humanity sows will produce a harvest that God will judge.

The instructions Joshua receives for Israel are very specific and theologically focused. We see the symbolism that resembles Creation with six days of God’s work and on the 7th day with the blowing of the ram’s horn [sounding the Sabbath rest]. To stir further thought about biblical symbolism, the blowing of a ram’s horn [shofar] can be symbolic of many things: announcing the coronation of the King, moving people toward repentance, reminiscent of God’s revelation for humanity to follow His Word/Commands, summoning people to return to the service of God and neighbor, calling for Israel’s renewed freedom in fellowship with God, reminiscent of the ram who took Issac’s place, the calling of humility before God, and Judgement Day. So when God calls his priests to blow the ram’s horn as they walked around the town once a day for six days, it can actually be symbolic of all of the above, because it calls God’s people to a place of worshiping in Spirit and Truth.

For the next few days we will read about the Fall of Jericho and seek to focus on the theological aspects of God’s story. For today, please focus on the fact that Canaan is already a defeated foe because it has abandoned allegiance to God. Canaan chose sin. As Christians, we face a defeated foe—satan—because Christ has already won the victory over evil and sin. Therefore, today, shout in a voice of triumph, because nothing satan tries to do can rob you of your salvation in the Lord! You are a mighty conqueror in Christ!

Joshua 6:1-5 NLT The Fall of Jericho
1 Now the gates of Jericho were tightly shut because the people were afraid of the Israelites. No one was allowed to go out or in. 2 But the Lord said to Joshua, “I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors. 3 You and your fighting men should march around the town once a day for six days. 4 Seven priests will walk ahead of the Ark [signifying God’s presence and a spiritual battle], each carrying a ram’s horn. On the seventh day you are to march around the town seven times, with the priests blowing the horns. 5 When you hear the priests give one long blast on the rams’ horns, have all the people shout as loud as they can. Then the walls of the town will collapse, and the people can charge straight into the town.”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the many lessons throughout Scripture to help us better understand your nature and plan for the world. Help us to walk in obedience to your word and look for the victory only you can bring our lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Every human wants to be happy and to see their life and the lives of their loved ones prosper. The world sees happiness much different than God outlines it for us within His Word. The world would like us to believe that our happiness is directly connected to our physical and financial wholeness. At first that doesn’t seem like a bad thing, but without being directly and fully connected to Jesus, the One Who provided each of us with our physical form to begin with and Who sustains our prosperity in all facets of our lives we are left longing for more, feeling empty more than full, and much of the time extremely unhappy. In other words, happiness is not determined by external worldly circumstances as those are fleeting, rather it is determined by our internal contentment through our faith and spiritual connection with the One Living God Who is our only source of eternal joy and everlasting happiness.

During yesterday sermon, Pastor Mary reminded us of God’s standard for our lives and it being the highest and best for us; and today, Psalm 128 guides us with how we can successfully live out His standard. When you and I revere and honor God, we stand in a place of fear of the Lord and that is a place where we are granted His wisdom and knowledge (Proverbs 9:10). Our God does not want us to be fearful of Him, rather He seeks for us to place Him in His proper position within our lives, and that is above all else, that is what it means to have the fear of the Lord. With God’s wisdom we are filled the spiritual understanding of “happiness” which is being filled with His joy. When we are filled with the joy of the Lord our lives are fruitful and we are called to share His joy and bear fruit into the lives of others. Pastor Mary said it yesterday, we are called to be servants and serve others for God’s Kingdom. Psalm 128 is a pathway for our souls to be assured that we will receive blessings because we fear the Lord, we serve others, and we seek to be peacekeepers as we serve the One Who is the Prince of Peace.

Psalm 128

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

1 How joyful are those who fear the Lord—
all who follow his ways!

2 You will enjoy the fruit of your labor.
How joyful and prosperous you will be!

3 Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine,
flourishing within your home.
Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees
as they sit around your table.

4 That is the Lord’s blessing
for those who fear him.

5 May the Lord continually bless you from Zion.
May you see Jerusalem prosper as long as you live.

6 May you live to enjoy your grandchildren.
May Israel have peace!

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for setting the example of how I am to walk in fear of the Lord, in joy of Lord, in service to others, and in peace. Help me to remain in oneness with You so that I may continue to receive Your blessings and in return be a blessing to others. Please continue to bring my family closer to You. I want them to know and love You. I pray for peace within our world, for war to cease, and for Satan to flee. I ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

Intro:
As I watch the news about the ground operations in Gaza by the Israel Defense Forces—the military of the State of Israel comprised of Jews, Christians, and Muslims—there is a progressive plan of action being taken to accomplish its objective: “To preserve the State of Israel, to protect its independence, and to foil attempts by its enemies to disrupt the normal life within it.” Israel has faced years of evil attacks from oppressors sent by the freedom thief—Satan. I pray for the peace of Israel, Palestine, and the world; however, I know peace will only come through a divine act of God. Every war has to do with sin against God and others. Therefore, every attempt at securing lasting peace apart from the eternal Christ—the Prince of Peace—is temporary.

In our passage today, the psalmist sings a prayer of lament; he desires for God to liberate His people from their evil oppressors. Israel needs hope during a time of discouragement and light for the path they must follow. So, the psalmist seeks to turn the people’s attention away from their troubles and onto God who is the only true Rescuer who can bring restoration and vindication.

Psalm 43 NLT
1 
Declare me innocent, O God!
    Defend me against these ungodly people.
    Rescue me from these unjust liars.
2 
For you are God, my only safe haven.
    Why have you tossed me aside?
Why must I wander around in grief,
    oppressed by my enemies?
3 
Send out your light and your truth;
    let them guide me.
Let them lead me to your holy mountain,
    to the place where you live.
4 
There I will go to the altar of God,
    to God—the source of all my joy.
I will praise you with my harp,
    O God, my God!
5 
Why am I discouraged?
    Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
    I will praise him again—
    my Savior and my God!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for sending divine help to rescue us from evil. Be the support and strength Israel needs; please provide protection for all your people called by your name. Forgive us and save us from sin and self-destruction. We pray for all hearts to turn toward you and recognize humanity’s desperate need for redemption. May your love and mercy bring light in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Because of sin, this world is a very difficult place to live—creation needs the redeeming grace of Almighty God. There are two spiritual leaders active in the world looking for followers: Jesus the Holy One and satan the evil one. Based on the spiritual leader chosen, human flesh will respond to this unholy or debaucherous environment in one of two ways: 1) Submit to God and resist evil’s temptation, or 2) Submit to evil and reject God. There are really only two options and it becomes more and more clear every day. Faith works through a God-centered love and submission to the Holy Spirit. Fear works through a self-centered love and submission to evil desires hiding in the flesh. We are commanded to walk by faith and not by fear, so we can receive God’s strength and power for our weaknesses (Joshua 1:9).

In our passage today, by God’s decree, Joshua [Yehoshua] has become Moses’ successor and will begin to lead Israel across the Jordan River and into the Promised Land of Canaan. Although Joshua has faithfully been in the service of God, he has a new role as “the leader.” To be successful in this new responsibility, Joshua must think, speak, and live the Word of God. The Word has been given to instruct and help people understand who God is and who we are to become.

God knows all things, so He is aware of the satanic fear that will try to dissuade Joshua and the people. Remember, it was fear that stopped Israel from crossing over into the Promised Land forty years earlier. God wanted to lavish is love and provision upon Israel, but they were too afraid to do what it would take to receive it. So, three times in our passage God reminds Joshua he must be strong and courageous as an example for the people.

The land of Canaan is symbolic of everything we have received in Jesus [Yeshua] our Leader. We must be strong and courageous in Jesus as we fight our many battles to live in the blessing of God—a life of victory as believers. God has blessings for us every single day, but we must be willing to do what it takes—be strong and courageous—and overcome evil with good as we place our faith in “the Leader.” Do not allow yourself to become discouraged or afraid. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and he will establish you in his blessing and care (Pro 3:5-6).

Joshua 1:6-11 NLT The Lord’s Charge to Joshua
6 “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua’s Charge to the Israelites
10 Joshua then commanded the officers of Israel, 11 “Go through the camp and tell the people to get their provisions ready. In three days you will cross the Jordan River and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you.”

Prayer: Lord, life is filled with an unholy and oppressive pressure that can lead us to a place of fear rather than faith and trust. So, today, please guide us into the truth of your provision and help us to rest in what you have promised. Give us your strength and help us to submit ourselves to your care in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Recently, I had a discussion with a friend about the word “commitment.” Every conversation I have had with others about commitment ends up revealing some very different ideas or interpretations. Some people have use words like love, devotion, or faithfulness in their interpretation of “commitment.” Others have used words like promise or loyalty. How would you define the word “commitment?”

In order to understand the biblical meaning of the word “commitment,” we must also look at the Hebrew word “khesed” [love] because these two words are bound together and describe God’s character perfectly. Listen to what God is like and how He describes Himself in Scripture: “Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty (Exodus 34:6).

God’s love is not conditional; He IS love and He is merciful, generous, and deeply committed to us. As members of God’s family—who we are—we are to become reflections of God’s loyal love or khesed. Our sense of worth and value is built on God’s loyal love for us. Thus, the destiny before us is to become like Christ—loyal love incarnate—and one day, we will be just like him! God has already made the commitment.

1 John 3:1-3 VOICE
1 Consider the kind of extravagant love the Father has lavished on us—He calls us children of God! It’s true; we are His beloved children. And in the same way the world didn’t recognize Him, the world does not recognize us either.

2 My loved ones, we have been adopted into God’s family; and we are officially His children now. The full picture of our destiny is not yet clear, but we know this much: when Jesus appears, we will be like Him because we will see Him just as He is. 3 All those who focus their hopes on Him and His coming seek to purify themselves just as He is pure.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your commitment and loyal love. As we receive Your love and allow it to grow in us, we realize our true sense of worth to You. Help us to remain committed to Your pure love while we wait for Your return. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Through our worship and Bible study lessons, as well as our daily devotionals, we have been looking at the power of faith expressed through genuine love. I have always gained greater knowledge with understanding from visual illustrations; it makes the things being explained more clear for me. So, when Scripture offers me an illustration that can paint a mental picture of faith and love for me, I am able to grab ahold of what is being explained. Did you know genuine faith in Christ works to offer visual illustrations of God’s love?

As a spiritual person being recreated in the image of Christ, how important are your actions? Well, if we are going to be the Chosen—a people of faith—we must put our faith into action in order to reveal the indwelling Christ. This is who we are…the people who have chosen to reveal the presence and character of our living Lord. Jesus is the Living Word of God.

In our passage today, James reminds the early church about doing more than talking about faith; they must illustrate their love for God and their love for others. To put our passage into context, the early Jewish believers in Christ thought it was enough to honor their religious practices and traditions. James wanted them to know it was not their Jewishness that brought them salvation; rather it was their faith in God through acts of loving service. Otherwise, faith is really useless—not going to fulfill God’s expected purpose.

James uses the illustration that our spiritual gifts are not to be separated from our acts of faith. For example, one believer might have a strong gift of faith [trust in God], another believer might have a strong gift of service [mission work], while yet another believer has a strong gift of proclamation [teaching and preaching]. Does that mean the preacher or teacher of faith does not have to share in works of service? Absolutely not; clearly, every believer needs to be illustrating God’s love for the world in tangible ways [works] of service every day. Jesus did and we must!

James 2:14-19 VOICE
14 Brothers and sisters, it doesn’t make any sense to say you have faith and act in a way that denies that faith. Mere talk never gets you very far, and a commitment to Jesus only in words will not save you. 15 It would be like seeing a brother or sister without any clothes out in the cold and begging for food, and 16 saying, “Shalom, friend, you should get inside where it’s warm and eat something,” but doing nothing about his needs—leaving him cold and alone on the street. What good would your words alone do? 17 The same is true with faith. Without actions, faith is useless. By itself, it’s as good as dead. 18 I know what you’re thinking: “OK, you have faith. And I have actions. Now let’s see your faith without works, and I’ll show you a faith that works.”

19 Do you think that just believing there’s one God is going to get you anywhere? The demons believe that, too, and it terrifies them!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the illustrations your Word offers for our lives. We can understand and know your character by spending time reading how you lived and what is important to you. We thank you for our gifts and for the grace and power to operate in them. Help us to use and partner them with acts of love for others each day. You are living within us and are wanting to reach the world around us. May we allow you the honor you are due by obeying and living your Word. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you were able to worship with us yesterday, then you know that the message was all about God’s love. How Jesus instructs us to love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind; and then to equally love our neighbor as ourself (Matt 22:34-40). Today’s passage, from James, goes hand-in-hand with Jesus’s teaching about “The Most Important Commandment” which is LOVE.

The Book of James might only have five chapters, but this shorter Book is packed with knowledge and great wisdom in a very practical way. Within the first chapter, James reminds us of how we are called to treat one another and to speak to one another. As James moves into the second chapter, he provides us with “A Warning Against Prejudice”, because Jesus does not want us to favor some people over others. Remember, Jesus calls us to love Him first and then to love our neighbor as ourselves. Jesus didn’t say, just love the neighbor to your right, or to you left, or the one that you like the best; rather Jesus says, we are to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us, and those individuals are considered our “neighbors” just as much as our “neighbors” who are easy to love (Matt 5:43-48).

Friends, I understand this might seem like an extremely difficult ask from Jesus. Listen, I myself, had to ask a fellow believer to pray for me this past week as I was struggling to love someone the way Jesus loves them. I had to be reminded, that when Jesus washed the disciples feet (in John 13) He knew which one would betray Him, which one would deny Him, which one would doubt Him, which one would be broken hearted, which one would appear to be strong on the outside but scared inside, and so on…and it didn’t matter to Him, because Jesus loved them all the same and it’s just as much as He loves you and me. You might be thinking, “Well, He’s Jesus, and I just can’t love everyone the same”, and James addresses how when we fail to love the way that Jesus loves, and commands us to love, then we are sinning. I realize James compares a lack of love for our neighbor to adultery and murder, and that is to remind us that the same One Who commands us to not partake in adultery and murder, is the same One Who commands us to LOVE.

James 2:8-13 (NLT)

8 Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 9 But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.

10 For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. 11 For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law.

12 So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. 13 There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for setting the example of pure love for me. Help me, Lord, to have a heart like Your heart and to be more equally loving to all of Your creation. Forgive me when I fall short, and quicken my spirit, Holy Spirit, to see each person how You see them. I want to be more and more like You, Jesus. I ask all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

Intro: As human beings created by God and made in His image, we tend to have an awareness when we have not aligned with the will of the Lord. Certainly, we can sear our consciences by demanding our own way, but sometimes we are just ignorant about the power of our decisions to lead us away from God. This may take our souls to a place of unrest—uneasiness, sleeplessness, turmoil—so, we wander looking for peace.

I believe God allows us these wrestling experiences with our souls to help us find a deeper knowledge of Him and who He is as our Prince of Peace. Think about it this way, if we never experience unrest or turmoil in our souls, we will not look or reach for the Peace only God can give. He wants more for us and to enjoy more with us. Therefore, God promises to use all things for our good when we love Him and are called according to his purpose for us (Ro 8:28) Do you see how times of unrest in your life have been God’s way to draw you closer to Himself?

In our passage today, king Darius has spent a night in turmoil; waiting to see if Daniel’s God protected and delivered him from death while in the lion’s den. When the king finds Daniel alive, he implements justice by taking action against the envious administrators who sought to trick him into killing Daniel. Then, the king makes a righteous decree for everyone to worship Daniel’s God. So, what the enemy meant for destruction, God used to increase righteousness for his glory. God has promised to faithfully protect his servants and Daniel’s story reminds us of his power and ability to do so.

Daniel 6:19-28 NLT
19 Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions’ den. 20 When he got there, he called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?”

21 Daniel answered, “Long live the king! 22 My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.”
23 The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God.

24 Then the king gave orders to arrest the men who had maliciously accused Daniel. He had them thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. The lions leaped on them and tore them apart before they even hit the floor of the den.

25 Then King Darius sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world: “Peace and prosperity to you!
26 “I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel.

For he is the living God,    and he will endure forever.His kingdom will never be destroyed,    and his rule will never end.
27 
He rescues and saves his people;    he performs miraculous signs and wonders    in the heavens and on earth.He has rescued Daniel    from the power of the lions.”
28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Prayer: Lord, you are the God of all miracles and you can shut the mouths of lions and destroy evil according to your word and will to save. Thank you for protecting us by the Truth as we live the Truth in Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: There are positive or negative consequences for every decision we make; therefore, we need to bathe every choice in prayer. Nothing is too small or too big to bring to the Lord. Prayer should be like breathing in and breathing out as we seek the will of God with every decision. Otherwise, we may find ourselves filled with regret as we watch the chain of events that begin to tumble from our poor choices. God’s Word encourages us to remember we will reap whatever we sow; when we sow poor decisions—things outside the will of God—we must face what follows.

In our passage today, king Darius has not weighed all the negative consequences that may come with his decision to enact an unjust law against prayer. Consequence #1: Soon after he enacts the law, the king realizes this law will cost the life of his best servant. Consequence #2: Darius has no power to revoke the law. Consequence #3: Darius’ soul is troubled and filled with regret. Our lesson, today, is to pray about everything and know God will lead us toward reaping good consequences…abundant favor.

Daniel 6:13-18 NLT Daniel in the Lion’s Den
13 Then they told the king, “That man Daniel, one of the captives from Judah, is ignoring you and your law. He still prays to his God three times a day.”
14 Hearing this, the king was deeply troubled, and he tried to think of a way to save Daniel. He spent the rest of the day looking for a way to get Daniel out of this predicament.
15 In the evening the men went together to the king and said, “Your Majesty, you know that according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, no law that the king signs can be changed.”

16 So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.”
17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his own royal seal and the seals of his nobles, so that no one could rescue Daniel. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his usual entertainment and couldn’t sleep at all that night.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the power of prayer and the wisdom to know how to make decisions that will yield positive consequences. Help us learn from the life of Daniel that you are always there to save us from evil. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Envy is very detrimental to the soul, so God communicated about that danger when he said, “You must not covet…” (Ex 20:17). Envy is sin; sin brings suffering. The biblical definition of envy is the sin of jealousy over the blessings and achievements of others, especially the spiritual enjoyment, and advance of the kingdom of Christ freely and graciously bestowed upon the people of God. Both the Old and New Testament help us understand God’s warning; we see it manifest in the lives of biblical characters and the trauma it brings into their relationships (E.g. Cain/Abel).

Envy births a wicked and ungrateful attitude toward God and others, because it rests on the foundation of making comparisons. We are all unique in how God has made us and our gifts and needs for resources may be very different, so envy actually makes us blind to the beauty in which God has made us as individuals. When we envy others, we are really wasting our time, energy, and opportunities to make a difference for Christ’s kingdom.

In our passage today, Daniel is the focus of his fellow administrators’ envy. They hate his integrity and abilities, but Daniel is faultless in those areas. So, these envious administrators plot and accuse Daniel of violating the official law with his religion; that no one will pray to anyone but king Darias. Daniel cannot obey the law, so he bows his head and bends his knees three times every day knowing the price he will pay for his obedience to God. Will Daniel’s gratitude and allegiance to God break the power of envy set to destroy him?

Daniel 6:1-12 NLT
1 Darius the Mede decided to divide the kingdom into 120 provinces, and he appointed a high officer to rule over each province. 2 The king also chose Daniel and two others as administrators to supervise the high officers and protect the king’s interests. 3 Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel’s great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire.
4 Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy. 5 So they concluded, “Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the rules of his religion.”

6 So the administrators and high officers went to the king and said, “Long live King Darius! 7 We are all in agreement—we administrators, officials, high officers, advisers, and governors—that the king should make a law that will be strictly enforced. Give orders that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions. 8 And now, Your Majesty, issue and sign this law so it cannot be changed, an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.” 9 So King Darius signed the law.

10 But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. 11 Then the officials went together to Daniel’s house and found him praying and asking for God’s help. 12 So they went straight to the king and reminded him about his law. “Did you not sign a law that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions?”

“Yes,” the king replied, “that decision stands; it is an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.”

Prayer: Lord, may we truly be grateful, today, for who you made each of us to be as workers in your kingdom. May we be impeccable with our integrity and helpful with our gifts and abilities to make a difference in your kingdom. Thank you for Daniel’s powerful example of gratitude and allegiance. Help us to stand strong for you, because we bend our knees in prayer. In Jesus’ name. Amen.