Daniel 1:17-21 Video Devotional

Posted on Oct 22, 2020 by admin in Video Devotional | Tags: , , , , , ,

As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. At the end of the time, when the king had commanded that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king. And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom. And Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus. – Daniel 1:17-21

Daniel’s no compromise approach to the food from the king’s table was without a doubt a risky move, yet when handled with respect and love towards the chief of the eunuchs, it proved successful, with what were, I am sure, some unintended consequences.

It is important that we remember when studying Biblical texts not to assign super-human powers to the characters. Daniel is one of those who seems to be elevated more than others. For example, we have no record of Daniel having any foreknowledge of these events. It may be easy to assume that of him, especially because these stories are so commonplace, but on top of that, Daniel was given prophetic visions. But moving through his story, Daniel could still only put one foot in front of the other and God only lit his pathway for each subsequent step.

This is important to note because Daniel, during chapter one, was focused solely on obeying God’s food laws. That was it – that was his ambition and plan throughout the first chapter. He was figuring out how the exile was going to work and what his role in it would be, and this confrontation with the king’s table probably felt like a headache and a distraction. But from God’s perspective, it was a beginning of a career that would last a long time.

Developing in Daniel such steadfastness, visions, patience, and influence took time, but as scripture tells us, there was no one like those four. All because they obeyed God foremost, while also showing love and respect to other people. As a result, they were given wonderful opportunities to continue being faithful to God – to which, God put them on display and painted targets on their backs. That would mean incredible influence over the Babylon leadership (good things), but also heavy danger and risks (not so fun things), such as an appointment with a fiery furnace.

Daniel didn’t know what would happen – he could only be faithful in the moment and trust God with the outcomes of that faithfulness. And that’s all we can do. Obey in the moment and trust God with the consequences. Those consequences to God’s obedience are all blessings – though they may contain suffering and heartache as well. Be prepared. And then follow God anyway, because we all know that’s going to happen regardless; so why not experience the good and bad of life as a result of faithfulness and obedience – it’ll make for a much better journey on this earth…and the next.


Acts 25:1-12 Video Devotional

Posted on Sep 10, 2020 by admin in Video Devotional | Tags: , , ,

“Now three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him, asking as a favor against Paul that he summon him to Jerusalem—because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way. Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly. “So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.” After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove. Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.” But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”” (Acts 25:1-12)

Today we reach one of my favorite lines in Paul’s story. “I appeal to Caesar!” How did we get to this? And what does it mean? Paul contentedly spent a couple of years in “jail” under Felix, taking advantage of every opportunity to share the gospel and connect with whomever he could meet with. Though he was technically a prisoner, he was more of a protected visitor in practice, though was certainly stuck in his situation (thanks to Felix wanting a bribe). Once Festus took over, the trail reconvened with the Jewish council asking to get the trial moved to Jerusalem (they were still hoping to ambush him and kill him).

Festus would have none of that. Though he did want to do the Jews a favor, so he gave Paul the option of choosing to go to Jerusalem to complete the trial (even though everyone was already in Caesarea). Paul would have none of that. He knows that if he is given up to the Jewish council, death would be on the menu. He also has a goal, and Jerusalem is NOT on the way. And that’s why we get the appeal. As a Roman citizen, Paul has the right as the defendant to appeal to Caesar. And if he appeals, he MUST go. That means going to Rome. On the government’s dollar. Brilliant! Acts 1:8 is on its way to being fulfilled in the pages of this book – and yet is a mission in which we are still participating!

It is fun to watch God work out these situations into incredible adventures and salvation for many people. Paul’s understanding of Roman law and Jewish doctrine make him the perfect person to be in this place, but it is his willingness to be used that makes this story so powerful. We are not reading this because of Paul’s brilliance, but because of his obedience and God’s power. That makes me think what could be done through my life if I was completely obedient to God. His power is here and ready – are you? Consider Matthew 24:14 – “Then the Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” The job isn’t complete. What role will you take as a kingdom builder?


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