Lessons from Daniel (1)

2 Timothy 3:15 – And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus

The word ‘known’ means to place value on something and the word ‘wise’ is from the Greek word ‘sophizo’ which means to make you smart. The scriptures (referring to Genesis to Malachi here) have a singular bias, and it is to the intent that the believer is smart unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Exploring salvation from the books of the prophets; it means we will find out things we ought to do as the saved. The scriptures are written for us to learn from. The writers of the epistles would, sometimes, pick characters in the Old Testament to teach lessons. For instance:
John used Cain;

1 John 3:12; Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.

You will find examples of characters to emulate and those you should not emulate, so we cannot just say that they are mere stories. The writer of Hebrews did the same (he spoke about Abel, Noah, Sarah, Isaac and many more). So, we should be smart enough to pick out the values from their written stories.

Let’s see Daniel;

Daniel 1:8 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.

Daniel found favour with the princes of the eunuchs, and they granted his desire not to defile himself with the king’s meat. Daniel purposed in his heart, he did not have to, but he and his friends had the integrity not to conform to the world’s pattern (Romans 12:2).

Daniel’s mantra was ‘others may, but I cannot’. The book of Daniel says, ‘he purposed in his heart’ – this is consecration. Every believer must have that kind of consecration; regardless of the circumstances, you stay committed because you have purposed in your heart.

What is your consecration to God? The believer should have things that are non-negotiables. Serving God has to do with a consecrated heart. Nobody even has to know, it’s between you and God. The believer should have that sense of devotion.

So, ask yourself this question – what is that simple act of devotion that I have for God?

Daily Bible Reading Plan:
Bible Reading – Exodus 8-10

TEACHING OF THE DAY
The Word and the Spirit (2)